JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A baby, a man and a woman were found dead Tuesday night inside a Florida home after a Christmas tree caught fire, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said.
Jacksonville firefighters were called just before 8:30 p.m. to a blaze inside a home on India Avenue, south of the Arlington Expressway.
Authorities found three bodies inside and discovered that a Christmas tree had caught fire and burned. Homicide detectives were then called to investigate.
JSO Sgt. David Smith said there didn't appear to be forced entry to the home, but foul play is suspected.
Smith said the smoke and soot inside was making it difficult to look around the home. The fire marshal was also called to the scene.
Police have not yet identified the two adults and child found dead. Family members told WJXT that the woman was Ariyan Johnson and the man, Quasean Trotter, was the father of their little girl, Aeriel.
"What is my cousin supposed to do that her daughter and her granddaughter is gone today?" family member Latavia Harris said. "How does she tell her sons and her sisters and brothers that her daughter's not coming home? How do we go about Christmas and we don't have her."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
