Bodies of family members found in torched house and car in 'quadruple murder': Cops

Updated


Four bodies were found torched in a house and car in Washington last week in what cops are calling a quadruple murder.

The body of Christale Careaga, 37, was found in a burning home Saturday along with two 16-year-old boys, Johnathon Higgins and Hunter Schaap.

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According to police, the home in Kitsap County belongs to 43-year-old John Careaga. Mr. Careaga was also found dead a day later, his body burned in his torched pickup truck in neighboring Mason County.

The Sky Valley Chronicle reports that the teens are Mr. Careaga's sons.

It's a sad and perplexing case, one that has local authorities vexed enough for the Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound to offer $4,000 to anyone who can give them a lead that ends in an arrest of the killer or killers.

Authorities are asking local residents who had security cameras facing roads in the vicinity around the time of the murders to contact them immediately.

Authorities responded after receiving a 911 call reporting violence inside Careaga's Kitsap County home.

Police arrived to find the house in flames and were initially unable to enter. When they did get inside, they found Christale Careaga, Johnathon and Hunter.

Mr. Careaga's truck was missing from the home and found the following day on a Mason County tree farm.

"Based on the investigation and evidence so far, detectives do not believe these four murders were a random act," the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said in a statement posted to Facebook.

Detectives are continuing to follow up on the many leads received, interviewing subjects and collecting evidence. They've also asked for assistance from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) and the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.

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In order to maintain the integrity of the case and not compromise the investigation, specific details can't be released, police said.

"This vicious crime of murdering a family, including two teenagers is difficult to comprehend for everyone. Our thoughts go out to our entire community affected by this tragic loss," the release read.

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