MADISON HEIGHTS (WWJ) - Madison Heights police say the cause of death of a woman and man found inside a burning home on Wednesday was the result of a murder-suicide.
According to Detective Lieutenant David Koehler of the Madison Heights Police Department, an autopsy conducted by the Oakland County Medical Examiner's Office revealed 42-year old Candace Hawkins of Madison Heights was stabbed to death inside the home at 52 W. Harwood Street, west of John R Road, by 40-year old Christopher Spicer before he stabbed himself.
Investigators also found the fire was intentionally set to Spicer's single-story residence.
Koehler said the current investigation also showed that Spicer and Hawking were in a previous dating relationship. Hawkins was registered to a different address within the city, police added, suggesting the two did not live together.
"Based on the current information, the Madison Heights Police Department believes this is a 'murder suicide' and there is no threat to the public," the department said in an update on Thursday morning. "The Madison Heights Police Department is still reviewing evidence to confirm if it is consistent with both the autopsy results and the Madison Heights Fire Department’s determination. Our condolences go out to those affected by this tragedy."
Madison Heights Fire Department were the first to respond to the burning home just before 9:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a structure fire.
Firefighters entered the house, where they discovered Spicer and Hawkins deceased.
Jacqueline Johnson — who lives just a few houses down — watched as her neighbors' bodies were removed from the home.
Authorities did not initially reveal if foul play was involved, but Johnson told WWJ's Darrylin Horne that she was suspicious of their deaths.
"And I just saw them carry them out, and his arm was just kind of hanging there, so I knew that they were in rough condition," Johnson said. "And then the second body that they brought out they had wrapped up in a sheet."
"The firetrucks weren't even there yet and they had it block off," she added. "So, that's kind of got our mind wondering if it was an accident or if something else more is going on here."
WWJ's Charlie Langton said multiple departments responded to assist with putting out the fire, which caused extensive damage inside the home.
It remained an active seen into the late afternoon on Wednesday as police investigated. Langton reported that the Michigan State Police forensic lab assisted with gathering evidence.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Det. Lt. Koehler at 248-837-2732, or the Madison Heights PD at 248-585-2100.
*EDITOR'S NOTE: The Madison Heights PD corrected an earlier press release that stated the victim's last name was Hawking to Hawkins. This story has been updated to reflect that change.