Fire That Killed Long Branch Family May Have Been Murder-Suicide

by Patricia A. Miller

A family of four died early this morning in a Joline Avenue blaze that does not appear to be accidental, according to app.com.

First Assistant Prosecutor Marc LeMieux - who was at the scene this morning - said authorities are not ruling out that the fire was a homicide and potential suicide.

“This fire does not appear to be accidental,” LeMieux said.

The victims were Lyndon Shane Beharry, 35, a Long Branch Department of Public Works employee, his partner, 29-year-old Amanda Morris, and their children, Brandon, 7, and Brian, 4.

The call came in shortly after midnight. The two-alarm fire was under control by 12:30 a.m., Public Safety Director Jason Roebuck said.

All four victims had fire-related injuries and other injuries, which LeMieux declined to specify.

“It remains under investigation,” Roebuck said. ”It will be a joint investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and our department. The Monmouth County Fire Marshal will also investigate the fire.”

To read the entire app.com story, click here.