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There was only one suspect in the May 29, 1995, early-morning arson fire that killed Lucy Morita, her three children and a housekeeper in San Marino, California. The only suspect was Leonardo Morita, — the head of the family—who was found outside the house, burned and dazed, his clothes smelling of gasoline. Inside Morita’s pockets, investigators found matches and paper towels.
Firefighters, who arrived on the scene at 5:15 am, pieced together the details of the fire. Although the kitchen window was broken, investigators found no evidence of forced entry . Morita was found to have a deep cut on his right hand, apparently from the window.
Inside what was left of the house, investigators found plastic buckets and five-gallon gas cans from Morita’s employer, the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant in Playa del Rey. Inside his station wagon, there was a strong odor of gasoline.
Morita had recently purchased life insurance policies on everyone in the family except himself. There was a $500,000 policy on Lucy, 45, and $20,000 policies on each of the three children:
Rama, 15, Krishna, 14, and Clint, 10.
The curb address was obliterated several days before the fire according to neighbors. It is believed Morita blackened the numbers in preparation for the fire, in an effort to delay any investigation.
Arson investigators believe Morita poured gasoline throughout the house. He apparently planned to toss a lighted paper towel to set the gasoline on fire just as he escaped from the house. He was caught by surprise when the gasoline he poured on the stairwell leaked into the basement and was ignited by the pilot light on the water heater. He suffered second-degree burns and lung damage in the resulting explosion.
The evidence against Morita was irrefutable. Authorities built a strong case for charging him with five counts of murder, but they never filed the charges.
Morita, who was taken to County-USC Medical Center for treatment after the fire, developed pneumonia as a result of his injuries. He was removed from life support on July 7, 1995, after doctors determined his brain activity had ceased.
Authorities are satisfied that they know who committed the crime. They are not sure they know why he did it though. They never even got a statement from him.
© Copyright 1995 Alikim Media