Whitesboro, Okla., deaths ruled double homicide-suicide

WHITESBORO — Authorities say three people found dead in an eastern Oklahoma house fire died as a result of a double murder-suicide.

LeFlore County Sheriff Rob Seale said the March 3 fire in Whitesboro was intentionally set by 30-year-old Jacob Custard. The sheriff said Custard killed his mother and stepfather before setting the house on fire then shooting himself.

Seale said authorities may not be able to pinpoint a cause of death for 57-year-old Edith Custard and 80-year-old Lawrence Schlienz because their bodies were badly burned in the blaze.

The sheriff said Jacob Custard had a history of mental-health problems and had stopped taking his medication.

Seale said the house was destroyed in the blaze and investigators failed to determine an exact cause or origin of the blaze.

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