A man has been taken into custody on suspicion of starting a fire in his residence that resulted in the deaths of his 74-year-old grandmother, her caregiver, and a woman with cerebral palsy. Brayden Blake faces charges of murder and arson as indicated by Indiana law enforcement at the Monroe County Sheriff’s office after responding to a fire incident on East Anderson Road near Bloomington. Upon arrival, authorities found the house ablaze, with a vehicle crashed into the garage.
At the scene, multiple burn victims were found, along with an 18-year-old woman who had managed to escape the burning home. Tragically, two individuals, identified as Paula Anderson, 53, and Mary Blake, 74, were found deceased inside the property. Paula Anderson’s daughter, Kristine Rowan, who suffered from cerebral palsy, was among the victims discovered.
Following the incident, a search was initiated for Blake, with law enforcement utilizing drones and tracking dogs to locate him. He was eventually found in a wooded area near the property, sustaining significant burn injuries. Investigative findings revealed a plastic petrol can near the dining area and a chair in the living room with a strong smell of a flammable substance.
Blake was treated at a hospital for his injuries but was discharged without informing the authorities, prompting State Police and US Marshals to track him down in Avon, Indiana. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated that Blake was confined to Eskenazi Hospital due to his injuries for an extended period before being released without their notification. Consequently, he was booked into the Monroe County Jail on April 13, facing charges of three counts of murder and arson.
During a court proceeding, Blake informed Judge Darcie Fawcett that he lacked financial resources or assets and was deemed indigent, necessitating the assignment of a public defender. He remains in custody pending a hearing scheduled for April 20.
