Investigators said Friday they think a man shot five family members to death before setting fire to their rural Northern California house, where he died of burns and smoke inhalation.
All but one of the six people found dead in the Happy Valley home died of gunshots to their heads, said Wayne Booker, a deputy sheriff and deputy coroner.
Autopsies completed Friday showed more than one weapon was used to kill Richard Wilcox, 66, and his children, Brett Linden Wilcox, 38; Cindy Irene Wilcox, 35; and Susan Nanette Wilcox, 31; and his 13-year-old granddaughter Lisa Wilcox.
The home about 150 miles north of Sacramento burned before dawn Tuesday in what authorities suspect was a fire set in the kitchen or living room, said Sheriff’s Capt. Dave Compomizzo.
A sixth, as yet unidentified, person was found in the kitchen. His clothing appears similar to the clothing worn by a man who a witness reported seeing outside the home as the fire raged, Compomizzo said. Investigators suspect the man went back into the home and perished.
The only remaining resident who is unaccounted for is Russell Wilcox, another adult son of Richard Wilcox who matches the witness’ description. The coroner’s office is trying to obtain dental records for identification, Booker said.
Russell Wilcox, like his sister Susan, was “mentally incapacitated,” said neighbor Dale Gustafson, who knew the family for years. “You couldn’t hold his attention on a subject very long. He seemed very innocent, childlike, a great guy.”