Local News in Brief : Tustin : Fire Probed as Possible Murder-Suicide Attempt
Police are still investigating the cause of a fire that may have been started over the weekend by a 65-year-old man in an attempted murder-suicide, a police spokesman said Monday.
Lt. Houston Williams said John Charles Carota, a World War II veteran who Williams said has been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder, was observed “holding” his wife, Carmela, 67, while she attempted to flee the couple’s burning home about 4:25 a.m. Sunday.
Carota and his wife were both treated at area hospitals for smoke inhalation, Williams said.
He said investigators suspect that Carota may have started the fire and then struggled with his wife in an effort to prevent her from leaving the residence. The fire, which was contained in the living room, was quickly extinguished and did not cause extensive damage.
Neighbors in the 2200 block of Hazel Road, where the Carotas live, told police they heard a woman’s screams during the night.
Williams said the case may be turned over to the Orange County district attorney’s office. He said Carota had been released from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach about six months ago.
“Mr. Carota has been very despondent because of family problems and it appears at this time to be an attempted murder-suicide,” Williams said.
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