COOS BAY, Ore. -- At least two people are dead and a 65-year-old man is in custody following arson fires in two Coos Bay homes Saturday.
The Coos County district attorney's office says police arrested 65-year-old Edward Lawrence Nelson on suspicion of aggravated murder and first-degree arson after his home and a neighbor's house went up in flames Saturday. Nelson was arrested after being pulled over by Oregon State Police trooper in Douglas County.
The district attorney says a woman was found dead in Nelson's home and a fire was intentionally set at his residence.
The woman was later identified at 59-year-old Kathleen Nelson. She was the wife of Edward Nelson.
Another fire set at a neighbor's home completely destroyed the residence. Investigators found human remains of two inside. The bodies were believed to be those of Renae Cottam, 73, and Lola Cottam, 73.
Investigators believe all three victims were killed prior to the fires being set.
