Dean Edward Johnson, 55, and Renee Millette Johnson, 59, were both homicide victims, while Anthony James Kinsey Jr., 34, died in the fire, Dauphin County Chief Deputy Coroner Vince Paese told Daily Voice.
All three were Middletown residents, according to their obituaries.
Renee Johnson died from a traumatic brain injury complicated by smoke inhalation and thermal burns, Paese said. Her manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Dean Johnson died from the same combination of injuries, and his death was also ruled a homicide.
Kinsey died from smoke inhalation and thermal burns, according to Paese. His manner of death was listed as undetermined.
The three died when a fire tore through the home at 508 Morgan Drive in Lower Swatara Township on Monday, Aug. 17.
Investigators later determined the fire was no accident.
Forensic evidence showed two victims suffered severe blunt-force trauma at the hands of a third person before that individual intentionally set the fire inside the house, according to Lower Swatara Township police.
After setting the fire, the person responsible for the attacks died of fire-related injuries inside the residence, police said.
Authorities have not publicly identified which of the three decedents they determined was responsible for the killings and arson. Kinsey's manner of death remains undetermined, according to the coroner.
The incident began around 7:30 a.m. when Lower Swatara Township police and firefighters responded to a fire alarm at the home. Multiple reports of smoke followed, and first responders arrived to find the house engulfed in flames with reports that people could be trapped inside.
Firefighters found one person dead before the roof began collapsing, forcing crews to retreat. Two more people were discovered after the fire was brought under control and the scene was secured, police said.
The Lower Swatara Township Police Department investigated alongside the Dauphin County Forensic Team, Fire Investigation Unit, Coroner's Office, and District Attorney's Office.
Dean was born on June 11, 1971, and Renee was born on Aug. 1, 1967, according to their obituaries published by Cremation Society of Pennsylvania. Anthony was born on Dec. 19, 1991. All three died on Aug. 17.
Additional details about their lives were not included in the obituaries.
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