WALLINGFORD, Conn. — Two people who were found dead after a Wallingford house fire were determined to have died before the fire, the town's police department said Monday. A third person who died was reportedly on a protective order to stay away from the residence.
According to Wallingford police, three people at the Geneva Avenue home on April 17 had died, including Karizmah Johnson, 19, a 9-month-old baby, and Justin Varnado, 24.
Based on the results of a preliminary investigation, police said they found that Johnson and the baby had died before the fire happened. Their manner and cause of death is being determined by the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Despite Varnado being found at the scene of the fire, he was the subject of a protective order that prohibited him from being at the home, police said. He was airlifted to the hospital and died from his injuries.
According to police, Varnado was previously arrested by the Wallingford Police Department on March 25 and was facing domestic violence charges of breach of peace in the second degree and risk of injury to a minor. He was held on a $5,000 bond and arraigned in Meriden Superior Court.
The house fire is being investigated as criminal in nature, police said. The cause and origin is currently being investigated by the state fire marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wallingford Police Detective Division at 203-294-2845.
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