Three people have been arrested in connection with two bodies found at the site of a Davenport fire, according to a news release from Davenport Police.
On Wednesday, Davenport Police charged Devon B. Braet, Adriana M. Blake (Prieto), and Melisa M. Weber in relation to the 5200 block of Division Street homicide investigation, the release says.
Devon B. Braet, 34, and Adriana M. Blake (Prieto), 27, were previously arrested on unrelated charges and remain in custody. Each has been charged with
- two counts of first-degree murder
- second-degree arson
- two counts of abuse of a corpse
- going armed with intent
- unlawful use of a weapon
- two counts of assault while participating in a felon causing serious injury
- possession of a controlled substance.
Melisa M. Weber, 49, was arrested Wednesday and is being held in Scott County Jail. she is charged with aiding and abetting on these charges:
- second-degree arson
- two counts of abuse of a corpse
- accessory after the fact.
The investigation continues.
A fire and two suspicious deaths
Shortly before 4 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, Davenport Police and Fire responded to the 5200 block of North Division Street for a report of a structure fire. Davenport Fire crews arrived on scene to find moderate smoke showing from an apartment and quickly extinguished the fire.
During a search of the apartment, firefighters found two people deceased. The origin of the fire and cause of death were considered homicides. The two deceased people have been identified as 44-year-old Brian L. Goodwin and 44-year-old Amy M. Smith.
Braet, police allege in affidavits, “did willfully, deliberately, and with malice aforethought commit the act of murder on two adult victims by the use of a dangerous weapon, while acting in concert with a co-defendant.”
Police allege Braet and Blake (Prieto) placed a combustible material inside of the residence where the deceased victims were located. “This action caused a fire to the residence with the sole intent to damage the property and/or to alter the crime scene,” affidavits say.
The two knowingly acted together “to mutilate the bodies of the victims by the use of fire in an attempt to conceal the crime of murder.” Braet had a gun during the course of events, affidavits show, alleging he “did knowingly possess a firearm during this course of events while being a prohibited person.”
On Jan. 18, Braet and Blake (Prieto) were taken into custody on outstanding warrants. They were found to be in possession of 4.3 grams of heroin and 11 grams of methamphetamine, according to affidavits.
Weber, arrest affidavits say, “did aid and abet the co-defendants in this case as they perpetrated the acts of second-degree arson and abuse of a corpse (two counts).”
Weber, police say, “did knowingly support the actions of the co-defendants to mutilate the bodies of the victims by the use of fire in an attempt to conceal the crime of murder” and then assisted “in the co-defendants’ flight from justice following the double murder.”
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