Suspects charged in Phoenix triple murder and arson case

PHOENIX – Two suspects in a triple murder and arson case in Phoenix have been charged with multiple felony counts, authorities said Wednesday.

Chase Christman, 30, and Dorian Rice, 53, each face three counts of first-degree murder as part of the indictment. They are each being held on $5 million bail.

The charges are the result of an investigation into a June 15 apartment fire near 48th Street and Warner Road in Ahwatukee.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, three bodies were found at the scene with injuries unrelated to the fire, including gunshot and stab wounds. Three pets were also killed in the fire.

Investigators believe 27-year-old Merissa Honeycutt, 25-year-old Anthony Frederickson-Ceccarelli and 37-year-old Samuel Lott were killed the day before the fire.

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Christman, who is accused of setting the fire, was taken into custody on July 19. Rice was arrested four days later after being identified as an accomplice.

In addition to the three counts of murder against both defendants, Christman and Rice were charged with three counts of armed robbery and one count each of burglary and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Christman was also charged with three counts of intentional killing of a domestic animal, two counts of weapon misuse and one count of arson.

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