Massachusetts Man Arrested After Allegedly Beating Parents and Setting Home Ablaze

Massachusetts Man Arrested After Allegedly Beating Parents and Setting Home Ablaze

A Massachusetts man faces serious charges after allegedly attacking his elderly parents, igniting their home, and abandoning them despite their desperate cries for help. This troubling incident unfolded in North Adams, where 44-year-old Darius Hazard was taken into custody on multiple charges including murder and arson.

Authorities report that Hazard’s parents, 76-year-old Venture and 83-year-old Donald, were discovered lifeless in their charred residence following a fire on Monday morning. Firefighters responded to the scene around 7 a.m. and found both victims deceased in the living room. The medical examiner later confirmed that their deaths resulted from smoke inhalation.

Details of the Alleged Crime

According to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Darius Hazard admitted to physically assaulting his parents inside their home. In a disturbing series of events, he allegedly poured gasoline throughout the residence, ignited the house, and then fled the scene, leaving his parents trapped in the flames.

On the morning of the incident, Hazard reportedly lost his temper while assisting his mother, who suffers from advanced arthritis and scoliosis. Court documents indicate that she fell around 3 a.m., prompting Hazard and his father to come to her aid. However, tensions escalated, leading him to lash out violently.

Witness statements suggest that Hazard screamed at his parents, striking them repeatedly. In the chaos, he shoved them to the floor and assaulted them with various objects, including throwing a fan at his father. After committing these acts of violence, Hazard allegedly set the house on fire, creating an inferno that ultimately took his parents’ lives.

A Dangerous Escape

Once Hazard fled the burning home, he drove away with little regard for the lives he left behind. Investigators later revealed that his parents were still alive but injured when he abandoned them. Hazard claimed that as he left, he heard them calling out for help, pleading for him to return.

Police apprehended Hazard later that day at a Walmart parking lot, where he was found with injuries and a knife in his car. During the arrest, he indicated that he had attempted to harm himself, which raised concerns about his mental state. According to reports, he had cuts on his thigh and chest.

Questioning and Charges

While in custody, Hazard reportedly told authorities about his overwhelming anger during the incident. He admitted to being