A man from Massachusetts is facing charges of arson and murder after allegedly assaulting his parents, dousing their home in gasoline, and setting it on fire. The accused, 44-year-old Darius Hazard, was arraigned in Northern Berkshire District Court on Wednesday, where chilling details of the incident were revealed.
In the early hours of Monday, Hazard is said to have physically attacked his parents, 76-year-old Venture Hazard and 83-year-old Donald Hazard, at their residence. Following the assault, he reportedly spread gasoline throughout the first floor of the house and ignited it. Despite pleas from his injured parents, Hazard allegedly fled the scene, leaving them trapped inside the burning home.
The incident came to light when neighbors noticed smoke emanating from the Hazards’ home around 6 a.m. Sensing the heat from inside, one neighbor knocked on the door while another dialed 911. Upon arrival, North Adams police officers were met with intense heat radiating from the residence. Firefighters who subsequently entered the home discovered the bodies of Venture and Donald Hazard in the living room. The preliminary cause of death for both victims, as determined by the chief medical examiner’s office, was smoke inhalation.
Investigations led authorities to Darius Hazard, who lived at the residence but was absent at the time of the incident. His car was also missing, and it appeared he had left recently, as indicated by a dry spot in the driveway despite rainfall the previous evening. Further inquiries revealed that Hazard had failed to show up for his job at Stop & Shop at 10 a.m., which was highly unusual for the typically punctual employee. Later in the day, a state police detective spotted a vehicle matching Hazard’s in a Walmart parking lot, leading to his arrest.
During his arrest, Hazard reportedly confessed to the crime. When asked if he was aware of the incident at the house, he responded affirmatively. He also admitted to being in a troubled state of mind, stating, “truthfully, no,” when asked if he was okay, and later adding, “I guess I snapped.” He revealed that his mother had been struggling with mobility, and his father had been caring for her. Frustrated with the situation, Hazard allegedly assaulted his parents, hitting them and throwing a small fan at his father.
According to court documents, after the assault, Hazard doused the upstairs floor and living room with gasoline and set the house on fire. He then drove to Clinton, Massachusetts, where he attempted to harm himself. Autopsies revealed that Venture Hazard had a fractured rib, bruising on her leg, and mild head trauma, while Donald Hazard had a hemorrhage on his throat and face, as well as bruising and cuts on his back. Both victims had burns in addition to signs of smoke inhalation. Hazard is due back in court on December 29.