WALLINGFORD, Conn. — A mother and her child found dead after a Wallingford house fire in April were victims of a homicide, according to the state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Monday.
The medical examiner's report provides new details in the death of three people who were at the Geneva Avenue home on April 17, including Karizmah Johnson, 19, 9-month-old Kylenn Varnado, and the child's father, Justin Varnado, 24.
The cause of death for Johnson and Kylenn Varnado was homicidal asphyxiation, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, the medical examiner said Monday. Asphyxiation occurs when someone is deprived of oxygen to the point of death or injury.
According to Wallingford police in April, investigators found that the two died before the fire started.
Justin Varnado, who was found at the scene despite being the subject of a protective order that prohibited him from being at the home, was airlifted to the hospital and died of his injuries. The medical examiner said his cause of death was complications of thermal injuries and his manner of death was ruled a suicide.
Wallingford police said that Justin Varnado had been previously arrested 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.
Police said that the house fire is being investigated as criminal in nature, and that the investigation into the cause and origin was being led by the fire marshal. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wallingford Police Detective Division at 203-294-2845.
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