Darius Hazard, 44, has been arrested and charged with murder and arson after allegedly beating his elderly parents, 76-year-old Venture and 83-year-old Donald, and then setting their North Adams, Massachusetts home on fire. Firefighters discovered the parents dead in the living room, with the medical examiner ruling their cause of death as smoke inhalation.
Hazard confessed to authorities that he assaulted his parents after becoming enraged while helping his mother, who had fallen. He stated he "snapped," yelled at, and repeatedly hit them, eventually shoving them to the floor and striking them with objects and his fists. He then poured gasoline on the floor and set the house ablaze before leaving the residence, despite his parents pleading for help.
The suspect was apprehended at a Walmart parking lot, where he indicated he had attempted suicide and sustained injuries. Hazard acknowledged his anger and assault were unprecedented, though he had lost his temper in the past. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
