A State Police Patrol drives near Commerce Street in Carlisle, PA. Wednesday, March 11, 2018. JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Inquirer
State Police: Berks County couple killed by third person who set self on fire
DNA tests are being done to identify the third person who died in the fire
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The Associated Press
Philadelphia Inquirer
A State Police Patrol drives near Commerce Street in Carlisle, PA. Wednesday, March 11, 2018. JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
(Douglassville) — Authorities say a Berks County couple were beaten to death with a hammer by a third person who then died after setting himself on fire in the garage.
State police say DNA tests are being done to identify the third person, who died of smoke inhalation after using an accelerant to set himself on fire. He is also believed to have killed two dogs and two cats.
Police called to the Union Township home shortly before 5:30 p.m. Saturday found the bodies of 60-year-old Ira Reed Jr. and 63-year-old Joanne Deluca in the living room and the third person’s body in the garage.
Neighbors said the couple and an adult son moved there several years ago from southern New Jersey after losing their home in Superstorm Sandy.
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