Son Wanted In Fire That Killed Diamond Bar Couple, Dog

DIAMOND BAR, CA -- The fire that killed a Diamond Bar couple appeared to have been intentionally set, sheriff's homicide detectives said Saturday, and they want to question the couple's son.

Detectives were asking the public to help them find Ryan Michael Venti, 33, in connection with the house fire in which his parents, Linda Venti, 66, and John Venti, 75, were found dead, Deputy Armando Viera Jr. of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Information Bureau said.

The blaze was reported about 5 a.m. Friday in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive, and it took firefighters about 40 minutes to knock down the flames. The badly burned bodies of two victims were found in a bedroom, along with the charred remains of a dog.

Sheriff's Lt. John Corina said investigators were working to determine if the victims were killed before the fire.

Ryan Venti was described as white, 6-feet tall and 180 pounds, with red/brown hair and blue eyes.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tony Imbrenda said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home.

Anyone with information about the fire was urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-8477.

--City News Service/Shutterstock image