2 bodies found in burned Santa Ana home investigated as homicides
A woman has been found under the debris of a burned home in Santa Ana, four days after a man was found dead inside, police said Wednesday.
The fire was first reported Friday night in the 500 block of West McFadden Avenue. Police and firefighters arrived on the scene to find the home fully engulfed in flames.
When the fire was out, the body of a male was found inside. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, police said.
Four days later, Santa Ana police homicide detectives were alerted to new information in the case which prompted a return visit to the scene. With the help of the Orange County Fire Authority, another search of the home uncovered the body of a female victim under the debris.
The victims have been identified as Steven Christian, 30, and Jillian Alise, 33. The couple lived together in the mobile home.
Both deaths are being investigated as homicides. Police did not release further details about the investigation, but said detectives are looking to identify and find any witnesses in the incident.
"We do know that there was a shooting that occurred at the location," said Santa Ana Police Sgt. Maria Lopez. "When Fire Authority responded to the location, they deemed the fire to have been set intentionally."
According to SAPD, two suspects were in custody for their connection to the fire.
The first suspect, now identified as 43-year-old Jason Blanchard, was arrested Monday in Barstow, while the second was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Apple Valley.
Blanchard was charged with two counts of murder with special-circumstance allegations of multiple victims, a felony count of arson and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Investigators were still working to determine motive in the incident.
Anyone with information on the fire can call Santa Ana police Homicide Section Detectives at (714) 2345-8390.
