A man who died in a house fire last week killed his wife before setting the house ablaze, according to newly released forensic reports.
Benyoucef and Agnes Assen were found dead following a fire in the bedroom of a home-based daycare facility on Cottonwood Drive in Coquitlam on July 9.
Neighbours rushed into the home after seeing smoke, but were overcome by fumes and had to leave. Attempts by firefighters to revive the couple were unsuccessful.
A woman who worked at the French immersion daycare told CTV News the couple had a volatile relationship and had recently separated.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said autopsy results confirm the theory that the duo died by murder-suicide.
Sgt. Jennifer Pound said Assen was killed by her husband before the fire was deliberately set. Investigators believe he died as a direct result of the fire.
“The findings of this investigation are tragic and weigh heavy on the family,” she said.
