Woman, Baby Were Dead Prior To Fatal Fire: Wallingford Police

WALLINGFORD, CT — Karizmah Johnson, 19, and 9-month-old Kylenn (Jasir) Varnado were already dead prior to the fire breaking out in their Geneva Avenue home, police said Monday afternoon.

At 6 p.m. on April 17, Wallingford police and fire crews responded to and investigated a fire at 25 Geneva Avenue.

"The preliminary investigation indicates 19-year-old Karizmah Johnson and 9-month-old Kylenn (Jasir) Varnado were deceased prior to the fire," police said in a news release. "The manner and cause of death is pending from the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The cause and origin of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshall. The investigation is criminal and active."

Justin Varnado, 24, who also died in the blaze, was arrested by the Wallingford Police Department on March 25 on domestic violence charges, police said. He was charged at the time with second-degree breach of peace and risk of injury to a minor.

At the time of the fire, there was an active order of protection barring Varnado from being at the residence, police said.

On April 17, crews responded to a 911 call reporting smoke coming from a home on Geneva Avenue.

Wallingford fire and police units were dispatched to the home and found a man outside suffering from “severe burns,” police have said.

Police said the man was airlifted to a local burn center for treatment and was in critical condition on Thursday, and he later died on Friday.

Crews made entry into the home and fire units found two people still inside the second-floor apartment, according to police. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and the other was taken to an area hospital where they were pronounced dead, according to police.

Police ask that anyone with pertinent information contact the Wallingford Police Detective Division at (203)294-2845.