QUILCENE — Authorities have confirmed that a fire scene where two burned bodies were found is being investigated as a possible murder.
Prosecuting Attorney Julie Dalzell said results of the bodies of Patrick Yarr, 60, and Janice Kay Yarr, 57, have confirmed foul play.
“The coroner released the cause of death as a homicide,” Dalzell said.
“The medical examiner is still working the case to figure out exactly how that happened.”
The charred bodies of the Yarrs were found a week ago in their home at 780 Boulton Farm Road near Quilcene that burned the night before. The bodies were sent to King County to be examined.
On Monday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced that detectives had determined the fire was intentionally set and that the county medical examiner had determined the Yarrs did not die as a result of the blaze.
Sheriff Tony Hernandez said his office is continuing to investigate.
“Nothing new,” in the investigation, he said Wednesday.
“”We’re still collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and working with other agencies.”
The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the State Patrol, FBI and its Behavioral Science Unit, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson County Arson Investigation Task Force.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is monitoring the investigation.
Fire crews were called out to the fire at 8:21 p.m. March 18 after a passer-by reported flames.
“At the time of the call, flames could be seen coming from the sides and top of the main floor of the daylight basement structure,” the Quilcene fire department said.
Willie Knoepfle, incident commander, said the south half of the house was engulfed when firefighters arrived.
Quilcene fire officials said the blaze was primarily located on the main floor of the house.
Hernandez is asking anyone who has information about the fire to contact the sheriff’s office at 360-385-3831.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
