Man Killed Wallingford Mother, Infant, Then Set Self Ablaze: PD

WALLINGFORD, CT — Police have concluded that a man killed a woman and infant at 25 Geneva Ave. last year, then set the home and himself ablaze days later, police said.

The woman and infant, whose bodies were discovered after the fire, had been killed two to seven days beforehand, police said Wednesday.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner recently determined the woman and baby died due to homicidal asphyxia, with the deaths ruled homicides.

Police and firefighters responded to a fire at the Geneva Avenue residence on April 17, 2024, around 6 p.m. They found 19-year-old Karizmah Johnson and 9-month-old Kylenn (Jasir) Varnado dead inside. A preliminary investigation showed they had both been deceased before the fire.

Responding personnel encountered a man, Justin Varnado, walking out of the residence with severe burns covering his entire body. Justin Varnado, 24, was transported to Bridgeport Hospital via Life Star, and he died due to his injuries.

Wallingford police had previously arrested Justin Varnado in March 2024 on domestic violence-related charges. At the time of the fire, there was an active protective order barring him from being at the residence, police said.

Investigators found a red gas can inside the apartment. Police said Justin Varnado had been seen filling it up at a gas station nearby on April 17, 2024.

A witness told police Justin Varnado had been distraught and suicidal. The witness, who lived in the same Geneva Avenue house, had detected a strong odor from the woman and baby’s second floor apartment, police said. The witness recalled not seeing either the woman or the baby for nearly a week before the fire, police said.

Police concluded Justin Varnado set fire to the second floor apartment using gasoline on April 17, 2024.

“Investigators found sufficient evidence to believe that Justin Varnado had killed (the infant) Varnado and Johnson in the days leading up to the fire. He then set himself and the structure on fire, ultimately leading to his death,” police said, in a press release.

The investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, and the cause and manner of the deaths is concluded. However, police said Wednesday some aspects of the investigation remain open.