Four people were found dead in their burning home on 3200 block of Woodland Drive NW, in Northwest Washington, on Thursday, May 14th, in the afternoon. Police say they were murdered.
The fire department were announced that the house was ablaze at around 1.15 p.m. When they arrived at the site, the second-floor roof was on fire and they immediately entered the premises through the windows and brought out the four victims. The fire was put out in about half an hour but there was a lot of damage to the family’s multi-million-dollar home. The neighbors reported that they did not see much except for the fire and smoke coming out of the roof and windows, as well as the firefighters trying to get in.
The victims were identified as Savvas Savopoulos (46 years old), Amy Savopoulos (47 years old), someone who supposedly was their younger son Philip Savopoulos (10 years old) and Veralicia Figueroa (57 years old), one of their maids. According to the witnesses, at least one of the victims was taken to the hospital. Officials reported that three of them had suffered from stab wounds and/or were hit with blunt objects.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier also reported that one of the family’s cars was missing , a 2008 blue Porsche 911. The authorities found the vehicle burning in Prince George’s County, in a parking lot in Hyattsville, Md, at about 5 p.m.
It is not clear yet if there were signs of forced entry into the house. The investigators are trying to determine that but the torched premises have ruined much of the evidence. Thus, their job is even more difficult at the time. They have spread fliers all around the neighborhood and talked to the neighbors to determine if there was any unusual activity at the Savopoulos family’s home.
The neighbors have not reported anything yet. Most of them spoke affectionately about the family, saying that they were well-loved in the community, extremely involved in the family life and very much respected.
Savvas Savopoulos was of Greek origin and was the president of American Iron Works, which manufactures building materials. Representatives of the company refused to make any comments regarding his death. Amy Savopoulos was a loving mother and wife who dedicated her time and effort to the education of her children. She would often help raise funds for the schools they attended. According to their neighbors, friends and family, they would often hold reunions at their home in D.C.
Apart from Philip, the Savvas and Amy Savopoulos had two more daughters who were off to borading schools when the murders occurred.
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