Suspect arrested after family of four found stabbed to death in house fire

Authorities in New York state have arrested a man in connection with the deaths of a family of four who were found stabbed to death in a burning house last month.

Fraime Ubaldo, 30, Marrangely Moreno-Santiago, 26, Evangeline Ubaldo-Moreno, 4, and Sebastian Ubaldo-Moreno, 2, were found by police and local firefighters in a burning home in Irondequoit, NY, on Aug. 31, Irondequoit police said in a Sept. 2 news release.

“Based on the condition of the bodies, it was immediately clear that this was a homicide case,” Irondequoit Police Chief Scott Peters said at a press conference the same day.

Fire officials who arrived “found various fires throughout the building,” Irondequoit Fire Department Chief Shane Metcalfe said at the news conference, which was live-streamed by 13WHAM.

Last week, Irondequoit police announced they had arrested 34-year-old Julio Cesar Pimentel Soriano in connection with the deaths. According to Monroe County Jail records, Soriano, who is listed on the inmate roster as Pimentel-Soriano, was arrested on Sept. 7.

Police claimed in their statement Friday, Sept. 13, that Soriano, a native of the Dominican Republic, entered Puerto Rico illegally before allegedly obtaining a fake New York ID. Police further claimed he was wanted in the Dominican Republic in connection with a 2019 murder.

In a written statement, WXXI News reports, Irondequoit Police Detective Bradley Lape claimed that Soriano stabbed the family members multiple times in the chest and neck. 13 WHAM reported the same claim, citing a criminal complaint.

In his statement, Lape also claimed that police identified the suspect through a video allegedly taken during the crime, according to WXXI News, but did not provide further details about the nature of the video.

According to WXXI News, WROC and 13 WHAM, First Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles said Soriano was charged with four counts of first-degree murder.

Duckles claimed he did not believe the killings were random, WXXI News, 13 WHAM and Spectrum News 1 report.

“I believe there is a motive,” he told the media, adding later: “What the motive is, we are still investigating.”

Irondequoit police and the district attorney's office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for information.

Police still looking for answers after death of family of four; makeshift memorial grows in front of house

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The tragedy has shocked the local community and family members.

“Marangely has always been a very caring person,” Xiomara Weeks, the children's godmother, told 13 WHAM. “They are my family. She is my sister, she will always be my sister. They will forever be my godson and goddaughter.”

Weeks started a GoFundMe campaign to help the victims' families with their next steps.

“I can't call her someone in the past because she will forever be my best friend,” Weeks said of Moreno-Santiago, according to WHAM 13. “She will always be my sister. She will always be the godmother to my children.”

Information about Soriano's plea and attorney was not immediately available.