Investigators Rule Wesley Chapel Mobile Home Fire Murder-Suicide

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL -- The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has ruled a fire that killed a Wesley Chapel couple on March 3 a murder-suicide.

Pasco County Fire Rescue was called to a mobile home fire at 5916 Penny Royal Road near Boyette Road and State Road 54, and found a woman and a dog dead inside the home and a man severely burned in a nearby shed.

The man, Edward Brace, 55, was taken to a trauma unit where he later died.

Following an investigation, sheriff's detectives believe Brace deliberately started the fire that killed his wife, Cynthia Brace, 61.

Surveillance video showed Brace purchasing gas cans and gasoline from local retailers the morning of the fire. Brace was also seen walking outside the mobile home toward a shed after the fire started.

He was later found in the shed with severe burns. Investigators believe he set himself on fire inside the shed after setting the mobile home on fire. Samples collected from the home and Brace's clothing tested positive for gasoline.

According to witnesses, the couple was having domestic problems.

See related story: Fire Kills Woman, Dog In Wesley Chapel