76-and-83-year-old couple died after their 44-year-old son snapped because his mother had difficulties walking so he started hitting them before setting the home on fire; son charged

Massachusetts – In a horrific domestic violence case in Massachusetts that left residents shocked, prosecutors have charged a 44‑year‑old man, identified as Darius H., with two counts of murder and one count of arson after investigators concluded he violently assaulted his elderly parents before setting their home ablaze. Authorities say Darius is solely responsible for the deaths of his parents, 76‑year‑old mother Venture H. and 83‑year‑old father Donald H., who were found dead inside their burning residence. The charges were filed after police determined the fatal fire was intentionally set and followed a brutal attack inside the home.

The charges were filed after investigators concluded that Darius first physically assaulted his mother and father inside their home, then poured gasoline throughout the first floor and intentionally set the house on fire. These acts, prosecutors say, directly led to the couple’s deaths. The murder charges follow a detailed criminal complaint and the state’s decision to prosecute under legal definitions for intentional harm resulting in death. Arson was added due to Darius’s deliberate ignition of flammable material within the residence.

The violent events reportedly unfolded in the early hours of a Monday morning at the family’s home. According to police, Darius became enraged after frustrations linked to his mother’s mobility difficulties. His 76‑year‑old mother had been having difficulty walking and had fallen several times. Darius reportedly became increasingly frustrated and admitted to police that he grew angry after witnessing his mother fall yet again. What followed was brutal. The defendant allegedly shoved both parents to the floor, struck them with his fists, and threw a small fan at his father when he asked him to stop. After that attack, he reportedly poured gasoline across the upstairs floor and onto the living room, then struck a match. According to police, Darius fled the house shortly afterward, driving away.

Neighbors discovered the fire around 6 a.m., seeing smoke coming from vents above the home. One neighbor pounded on the door while another called 911. When firefighters and police arrived, they found the residence engulfed in intense heat. Inside, the bodies of Venture and Donald were discovered in the living room, lifeless and surrounded by the remains of the blaze. The victims were unresponsive. The state medical examiner’s office later determined that both died of smoke inhalation. Autopsy findings also showed severe physical trauma: Venture had a fractured rib, leg bruises, and mild head injuries, while Donald suffered a facial hemorrhage, bruises and cuts on his back, and burns indicating the fire may have begun while they were still alive.

After the fire, law enforcement searched for Darius. Officers noted that his car was missing from the driveway where it was normally parked. The next day, when Darius failed to show up for his job at a local grocery store (something those who knew him said was extremely unusual), detectives began actively looking. Later that afternoon, a state police officer spotted a car matching Darius’s vehicle pulling into a parking lot of a supermarket. Police approached and took him into custody. During questioning, Darius reportedly told officers, “I guess I snapped,” admitting he knew what had happened at the house. He claimed his mother’s worsening physical condition and the stress of caring for her triggered the violent attack.

In court, Darius was arraigned in court, where bail was not granted. His next scheduled hearing is December 29. For neighbors and friends, the crime has sent shockwaves through the tight‑knit community. Many described the family as quiet, private, and unassuming. One longtime resident said it was difficult to believe the serene household could harbor such violence. As Darius awaits trial, prosecutors have signaled they intend to seek the fullest possible accountability. For a community still reeling, there’s little comfort in the fact that the accused is off the streets yet many hope that justice, at least in legal form, will follow.