Cypress murder, arson investigation: Reward increased in deaths of 3 on Plains River Dr
CYPRESS, Texas - The reward has been increased to $25,000 for help solving the murders of a mother, her son and the son's girlfriend who were found shot to death in a burning Cypress home last year.
The sheriff’s office, FBI Houston and Crime Stoppers announced the increase and released new surveillance video of a suspect during a press conference on Tuesday.
What's new:
The FBI says video from a neighborhood surveillance camera captured an unidentified male suspect approaching the home around 6 a.m. on Aug. 18, about an hour before crews responded to reports of a house fire on Plains River Drive.
A suspect vehicle was also captured on video. It is believed to be a blue or black, four-door sedan with a third brake light located in the lower portion of the rear window. The FBI says it was last seen around 6:15 a.m. going eastbound on Cypresswood Drive before making a right turn onto Cypress Rosehill going south toward U.S. 290.
3 found dead in burning Cypress home
Cypress, Texas, triple murder update: New reward, video released
The Harris County Sheriff's Office, FBI Houston, Crime Stoppers and family members speak at a press conference about the August 2024 murders of three people in a Cypress area home. The reward is being increased up to $25,000 in the case.
The backstory:
Around 7 a.m. on Aug. 18, neighbors called 911 to report a two-story house on fire in the 14600 block of Plains River Drive.
The Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office, Cy-Fair Fire and EMS responded to the scene.
According to the sheriff’s office, firefighters entered the home and found a woman downstairs. Once the fire was out, two more people were found upstairs, officials say.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say EMS and firefighters noticed trauma to the victims that was not consistent with smoke inhalation or fire, so the sheriff’s office’s homicide unit was contacted.
Deaths ruled homicides
The sheriff’s office identified the three people who died in the home as Kelly Masciarelli, her son Kolin Foster, and his girlfriend Cameryn Richard.
The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled their deaths homicides and determined that they had all been shot to death.
According to the FBI, it is believed the victims were shot multiple times while they slept.
Fire believed to be arson
According to the sheriff’s office, arson investigators determined that the fire looked to have been deliberately set and started with accelerant after the three victims were dead.
$25K reward offered in case
The search continues for those responsible.
What they're saying:
"This was a senseless and devastating act of violence that has shattered a family and left our community reeling," said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. "We are committed to bringing those responsible to justice and providing some measure of closure to the victim’s loved ones."
What you can do:
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to their identification and arrest.
Anyone with information is urged to contact FBI Houston anonymously at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or at Tips.FBI.Gov.
The Source: The information in this article is from the Harris County Sheriff's Office, Houston FBI and the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office.