Solano County officials say that a man charged with murder started a deadly wildfire in order to cover up the crime.
Sheriff’s officials say that Victor Serriteno of Vacaville intentionally started the Markley Fire last August in order to cover up the murder of Priscilla Castro, 32.
The Markley Fire started on Aug. 18 near a dam along the southeast portion of Lake Berryessa. It later merged with the Hennessey Fire and was considered part of the disastrous LNU Lightning Complex Fires that ravaged the area last summer and is one of the biggest fires in California history.
Two people died as a result of the fire: Douglas Mai, 82, and Leon “James” Bone, 64 were both found dead in their homes.
NBC News reports sheriff’s officials say Castro went to meet Serriteno two days before the fire and was never heard from again. Her body was found a month later near where the fire started.
Serriteno was arrested and charged with her murder in September.
"Based on an extensive eight-month investigation, we believe Serriteno deliberately set the Markley Fire in an attempt to conceal his crime," said Sheriff Tom Ferrara on Wednesday.
Serriteno is now facing two more murder charges for the deaths of Mai and Bone and an arson charge.
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