BURLINGTON -- Investigators have determined the Burlington house fire and explosion that killed three in May "involved foul play," the Racine County Sheriff's Office announced Wednesday.
The three victims of the fire were also identified by the sheriff. They are:
- Nicholas J. Chaulkin, age 17.
- Craig A. Lambert, age 41.
- Kimberly S. Howe, age 43.
Investigators determined Chaulkin didn't have any smoke in his lungs, which likely means he was killed before the fire started. Officials say he also was shot in the back of the head, and his death has been ruled a homicide.
According to the sheriff's office, investigators have since learned Howe and Lambert were recently involved in a domestic dispute, and Lambert was being kicked out of the house. Howe had been staying with Chaulkin, her son, in a hotel prior to the incident "in order to get away from Lambert."
Investigators say Howe placed a phone call to a witness around 2:30 p.m. the day of the fire, in which she said she was going to the house to make sure Lambert was packing his belongings and leaving. It was the final phone call she made.
"Based on the totality of information obtained throughout the investigation, the evidence suggests that Craig Lambert is responsible for the death of Nicholas Chaulkin, Kimberly Howe, and the subsequent fire and explosion," Lt. Dan Adams wrote in a news release.
"The exact series of events that occurred on 5/14/16 may never be known...Sheriff Christopher Schmaling would like to extend thoughts and prayers to the families of all of the victims involved in this tragic incident."
Check back often for updates on this developing story
