According to authorities, a Massachusetts man thrashed his parents in their home before pouring gasoline all over the place and lighting it on fire.
Darius Hazard, 44, has been charged with arson and two counts of murder for the deaths of his parents, Venture Hazard, 76, and Donald Hazard, 83. He was charged at Northern Berkshire District Court on Wednesday, during which details about the victims’ tragic final moments emerged.
The North Adams Police Department reported that the defendant “physically assaulted” his mother and father at their residence early Monday morning. Later, he “poured gasoline on the first floor of the home and set the house ablaze.”
“Come back,” his parents, who were harmed but alive, yelled at their son, according to court documents acquired by local NBC affiliate WNYT. “Help me, help us, we are in trouble.”
Police said the man then drove away from the property on Francis Street in North Adams. It was thought to be between 3 and 4 a.m.
Around 6 a.m., neighbors were leaving their own home when they noticed smoke coming from a vent above the Hazards’ home. They approached the window, knowing that it was hot inside, and one of them knocked on the door while the other dialed 911.
When North Adams police officers arrived at the site, they found “immense heat coming from the residence.” As firefighters approached and entered the house to combat the fire, they discovered Venture Hazard and Donald Hazard dead in the living room. The chief medical examiner’s office ruled that smoke inhalation was the initial cause of death for both fatalities.
Authorities also learnt about Darius Hazard. He evidently lived at the house but was not present at the time, nor was his automobile. Furthermore, he looked to have left lately because “[t]here was a dry spot in the driveway where the Defendant’s car was normally parked,” and it had rained the previous evening.
As the hours passed, investigators discovered that Darius Hazard did not show for his employment at Stop & Shop at 10 a.m., which was “extremely unusual” given that he was “always prompt.” Four hours later, a state police detective noticed a vehicle that matched the defendant’s pull into a Walmart parking lot. Officers arrested him after verifying his identity.
It was here that Darius Hazard apparently disclosed everything he knew.
An officer questioned him if he knew what had happened in the house, and Darius Hazard responded yes, according to court documents. When the officer inquired if he was okay, he said, “truthfully, no,” later adding, “I guess I snapped.”
Darius Hazard told WNYT that his mother was having difficulty walking and that his father had been caring for her. She had fallen several times, including that morning, and the son was becoming increasingly upset.
He was apparently “really, really angry” and pushed them both to the floor in their bedroom. He then allegedly struck them with his fist and threw a tiny fan at his father, who told him to stop.
According to court filings, Darius Hazard did stop, but he planned to take additional move. The defendant allegedly put gasoline on the upstairs floor and in the living room, then lit a match. He then took a knife and drove two hours north to Clinton, Massachusetts, where he attempted to stab himself.
Venture Hazard’s autopsy revealed a cracked rib, bruising on her leg, and slight brain trauma. Donald Hazard suffered a bleeding in his throat and on the right side of his face, as well as bruising and cuts to his back. Both exhibited burns and evidence of smoke inhalation.
Darius Hazard is due to return to court on December 29.
North Adams is located in northwest Massachusetts, on the border with New York and Vermont.
