COLUMBUS – Columbus police investigating the deaths of three people found after an explosion and house fire say the case appears to be a suicide and double homicide.
**UPDATE – The victims, 33yo Nerissa Distin & 2yo Serina Morris, are now being considered the victims of homide investigations.
Preliminary investigation efforts have determined that 42yo Gary Morris' actions resulted in his own death.
1st & 2nd homicides of 2020. pic.twitter.com/heMCis9VoV
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) January 3, 2020
The bodies of Nerissa Distin, 33, and her 2-year-old daughter, Serina Norris, were found inside the home on Retriever Road shortly after 7:30 p.m., along with the body of Gary Morris, police said.
A fire official told The Columbus Dispatch at least one of the three died from a cause other than the fire, but he wouldn’t say who or share details.
Neighbors reported a loud boom that shook nearby homes.
The preliminary investigation determined that Gary Morris, 42, died as a result of his own actions.
Distin and Serina Norris are the first two homicide victims of 2020 in Columbus, Homicide Unit Sgt. Eric Pilya said.