2 of 6 found dead after house fire had been shot

Two of the six people found dead after a suspicious house fire in rural Northern California died of gunshot wounds to the head, the Shasta County coroner’s office said Thursday.

They were identified as Richard Wilcox, 66, and Susan Nanette Wilcox, 31. Both were found in their bedrooms in the home, which was destroyed by the fire early Tuesday.

A third victim, a man found in the kitchen area of the home near where authorities believe the fire started, died of smoke inhalation and burns, the coroner said. He has not yet been identified.

Investigators said Richard Wilcox lived in the house with his four adult children -- Brett, Russell, Cindy and Susan -- and Susan’s 13-year-old daughter. The fire spread quickly, engulfing the home within minutes and leading investigators to suspect that it was intentionally set.

A neighbor who first spotted the blaze told authorities that he saw a man outside the house. Investigators believe the man went inside the house and perished, Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Compomizzo said.

Authorities are not sure who he was, but both Brett and Russell Wilcox fit the description of the man the neighbor saw.

Investigators on Thursday were seen removing a shotgun and at least one shotgun shell from the burned ruins.

They also found the body of the family dog, which will be examined for a cause of death.

Several neighbors had reported hearing shotgun blasts at the time of the fire, in a wooded community of ranchettes and small farms about 150 miles north of Sacramento, just south of Redding.

But Compomizzo would not comment Thursday on the discovery of the firearm.

Investigators sent several samples of the ashes and other burned material from the house to the state Department of Justice lab in Redding to find out whether an accelerant was used. Results are expected today.

Investigators spent Thursday combing through the rubble. A neighbor said he was dumbfounded by the tragedy.

“I would never expect this from any of them,” said Dale Gustafson, who had known the family for years. “I never saw any violence over there. I never saw any guns. I never heard any loud noises, fights, any of that, period.”

Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Booker, who is also the deputy coroner, said the autopsies would continue today.