Denise Reyes and her 7-year old son Nicholas died in the blaze at their home on Sunday. People who knew Reyes told fire investigators that she was upset about a relationship that had just ended. A friend has also turned over a letter that Reyes reportedly mailed on the day of the fire. In it, the woman hints about taking her life and that of her son.
Authorities say the little boy escaped to a front room and locked the door to it.
Fire Lieutenant Kent Worley told News 8, He escaped to the front bedroom, shut the door and locke it. And that was very unusual for someone of his age to try and lock the door. We theorize he was trying to get away from his mother realizing what she was trying to do. The 7-year old sustained burns over 90 percent of his body. Investigators also found a gasoline can inside the home.