Crime & Safety
Bodies in Burning House Victims of Murder-Suicide: Police
The two people found in the ruins of a burned Severn house were a woman and her estranged roommate, who had been ordered to move out.
SEVERN, MD — The two bodies found Dec 10 inside a burning Severn home were the victims of a murder-suicide in a turbulent domestic relationship, say investigators, who released the name of the shooter Wednesday.
Diana Lynn Knight, 59, of the 1200 block of Old Camp Meade Road in Severn was found deceased by Anne Arundel County firefighters in a home. Authorities said she was shot in the head.
The Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to the dwelling fire in the 1200 block of Old Camp Meade Road about 3:40 a.m. Thursday. The residence was being renovated after it had been damaged in a previous fire in February 2015.
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Once firefighters had the fire under control, they found Knight’s body on the first floor of the residence.
The body of an unidentified white male was found a day later in the burned debris. On Dec. 21, the Chief Medical Examiner identified the dead man as Jeffrey Allan Deberry, 53, who had lived with Knight in the home.
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SEE ALSO:
- Second Fire at Severn House Kills One, One Missing (Update)
- Woman Found in Burning Severn House a Homicide Victim
After an incident on Dec. 6, Knight received a protective order against Deberry, who was ordered to move out of the house Dec. 9.
Anne Arundel County Police said Wednesday that Deberry’s vehicle was parked within walking distance from the home and he had contacted Knight in violation of the temporary protective order.
Deberry’s body was found in a seated position in a chair; two handguns, one revolver and one semi-automatic handgun were found with him. Authorities say Deberry shot himself in the head after shooting Knight.
At this point in the investigation the fire marshal’s office is ruling the cause of the fire as being undetermined.
The Anne Arundel County Police ask anyone with information to call the Homicide Unit at (410) 222-4731. To remain anonymous, contact the Anne Arundel County Police Tip Line 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers.
»Photo of fatal Severn fire scene, from Anne Arundel County Fire Twitter feed
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