Families seek answers after Phoenix apartment fire leads to triple homicide investigation

PHOENIX – Phoenix police are investigating a triple homicide after firefighters found three people dead in an apartment fire Monday.

According to officials, Merissa Honeycutt (27), Anthony Frederickson-Ceccarelli (25) and Samuel Lott (37) showed signs of injuries that were unrelated to the fire.

“Sam is the best man anyone could know,” said Douglas Lott, Samuel Lott’s brother.

The family remembers Samuel Lott as a great friend and perfect brother.

“The world will be different without him,” said Douglas Lott.

Douglas Lott said he didn’t know Saturday would be the last time he would see his brother.

“We told each other we loved each other. He left the house,” Douglas Lott said.

When Samuel Lott stopped responding to text messages, his brother said he knew something was wrong.

“That was a warning sign for me and I started to get a little worried,” said Douglas Lott.

Douglas Lott said he did not know exactly how his brother knew the other victims or what led to his death.

“It kills us to think that someone would hurt such a loving person,” Douglas Lott said. “Just like everyone else, we are learning every minute.”

Douglas Lott said he hopes anyone who knows anything about his brother’s death will come forward.

“Anyone who knew him would not have done such a thing,” said Douglas Lott.

Police are offering rewards for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness (480-WITNESS) to remain anonymous.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Lott pay for memorial costs. Anyone wishing to donate can click here.

Arizona’s Silent Witness program allows people to submit tips and share information about crimes in their community.

The program disseminates information about unsolved criminal cases in a variety of ways, including on television, radio and social media.

Anyone with information about a crime or who recognizes a suspect described in the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, visit the program’s website online, or download the Silent Witness app to submit a tip. The identity of all those submitting a tip will remain anonymous.

Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24 hours a day by a real person and tips are accepted at any time. Tips are then passed on to the detective(s) assigned to the case.

Individuals providing information leading to an arrest or indictment in the case may receive a reward of up to $1,000.

Do you have a tip? Submit it here using the Silent Witness tip form.