Michael Sanders identified as Arizona man who murdered wife, daughter and borther-in-law, Tom Fitzpatrick
Police have now identified the four victims from a tragic domestic violence incident in Phoenix, Arizona.
Michael Sanders, age 53, reportedly killed his wife, Carol Sanders and their 14-year-old daughter, Audra Sanders. Police say Carol’s body was found burning in the backyard, the body of Carol’s brother Tom Fitzpatrick was found in the driveway.
Crime Scene Tape photo/editted pic from FBI.gov
Michael Sanders was found dead a block and a half away, killing himself in an alley away from his home.
Police responded Tuesday afternoon to reports of gun shots fired in the neighborhood.
Carol filed for a divorce and attempted to leave the home, triggered the incident, police stated to the press.
“I understand he had an order of protection put out against him, and it may very well be related to that,” Phoenix police Sgt. Trent Crump said
Sanders, who claimed to be a state-at-home dad in court paperwork, lived in the northeast Phoenix home, “the family had moved out some time ago.”
Investigators believe Sanders had given his family some time to collect a few things from the home after Tuesday’s court hearing, but he never intended to let them leave.
“It certainly is a chilling case …. We believe it was planned out,” Crump said. “He left his identification in his vehicle, [which was parked down the street].
“We understand, by witness accounts, that he first shot the brother seated in his truck in the front driveway,” Crump continued. “He then went into the home were additional gunshots were heard. We believe that was the daughter and the mother. Ultimately, we believe he took his wife out back and set her body on fire.”
Much of the residential neighborhood was evacuated until police used a robot to determine the suspect was no longer inside the home.
“I haven’t seen a case that I can think of recently, I guess I’ve seen people burned, but it certainly is a horrific scene,” Crump said.
