NC - Shannon Collins & 2 minors found in burned house - ruled arson & homicide, Wake County, 23 Jun 2025

[Boodles]

A 49 year old man and 2 minors were found deceased in a burning house in Garner NC. They were found to all have gunshot wounds and the fire was ruled as arson and the deaths homicide. There had been domestic violence calls related to the family.

Sheriff: Man, teens were found with gunshot wounds in Wake County house fire

Wake deputies are now investigating a house fire in which three people died on Tuesday as arson and homicide.

www.wral.com

 

[tlcya]

When first responders found the 3 people inside who were killed, they had gunshot wounds, according to the sheriff's office. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause of the deaths of the man and the two teenagers found inside.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but at this time, investigators believe it was set intentionally.
Two days after 3 found dead, Garner house fire is now a homicide and arson investigation

The three lived in the house with Kerrith McDowell, Collins’ husband [wife] and the mother of the two teens.
[snip]
According to the neighbor, he saw McDowell at the Wake County Courthouse on Tuesday morning when she learned her house was on fire.

“She went downtown to get a restraining order,” he said. “She had to rush back here, pulling down her driveway.”
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-ne...at-wake-county-home-night-before-deadly-fire/

Public records show Kerrith McDowell owns the house. According to neighbors, she lived there with her husband and two sons.
https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-ne...large-presence-of-first-responders-officials/

So the wife was at the courthouse in the process of petitioning for an OP against her husband, Shannon when the fire was reported? And there was a DV incident the evening before which LE responded to?

UGGGH this is sounding like a murder suicide by a controlling abuser who wanted to deal the ultimate hurt to the mother of his kids

 

[Boodles]

But why would the father commit a murder suicide and then burn down the house? Revenge because the wife owned it?

Or could it be convenient that she was downtown getting and order of protection while all that was going on back at the home? Not all DV reports (I haven’t seen theirs) are justified. Some are vengeful out of spite.

It could go either way (or even a 3rd way) - I assume the investigation will determine. It’s just so sad, especially 2 young teens being shot and killed.

 

[Knox]

But why would the father commit a murder suicide and then burn down the house? Revenge because the wife owned it?

Or could it be convenient that she was downtown getting and order of protection while all that was going on back at the home? Not all DV reports (I haven’t seen theirs) are justified. Some are vengeful out of spite.

It could go either way (or even a 3rd way) - I assume the investigation will determine. It’s just so sad, especially 2 young teens being shot and killed.

Based on the statement given by his estranged adult daughter, I doubt it was a falsely filed TRO, IMO.

My thoughts are with the mother of the kids and all who loved them.

 

[bluestsocks]

But why would the father commit a murder suicide and then burn down the house? Revenge because the wife owned it?

Or could it be convenient that she was downtown getting and order of protection while all that was going on back at the home? Not all DV reports (I haven’t seen theirs) are justified. Some are vengeful out of spite.

It could go either way (or even a 3rd way) - I assume the investigation will determine. It’s just so sad, especially 2 young teens being shot and killed.

Wait, what?