Darius Hazard

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

A Massachusetts man has admitted to police that he burned his elderly parents to death following a fight at their home earlier this week, authorities announced. 

Darius Hazard, 44, of North Adams, was charged with arson and faces murder charges in the deaths of his parents, 76-year-old Venture and 83-year-old Donald Hazard, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said. He'll be arraigned in the killings on Wednesday. 

Neighbors reported the fire at 77 Francis Street in North Adams around 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25. They told firefighters they believed the couple was still inside. Crews found their bodies soon after forcing their way inside. 

An autopsy found they had died of smoke inhalation, the prosecutor said, meaning they were alive when the fire began. 

Investigators found it strange that Darius Hazard, who lived with his parents, was not home at the time of the fire and also did not show up to work at 10 a.m., the prosecutor's office said. A dry spot on the driveway helped police determine when he'd left because it had rained overnight. 

Massachusetts State Police arrested Darius Hazard without incident around 2 p.m. after spotting his car at a Walmart parking lot on Route 7. 

During an interview with police, Darius told investigators that he had gotten into an argument with his parents early that morning and had assaulted them sometime between 3 and 4 a.m. He said he poured gasoline on the first floor of the home, set it on fire, and then drove away, according to the prosecutor. 

Police did not say why he started the fire. 

The investigation is ongoing.