Murder-Arson Charges Dropped Against One Suspect in Fatal Fire

Skagit County, WA – The Skagit County Prosecutors Office dropped murder and arson charges against 24-year old Jaramy Chism, one of two defendants in a  fatal house  fire in the 13000 block of  Bay View Road that killed two young children on July 15th, 2017.

Fire Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set and an accelerant, such as gasoline was used to fuel the fire.  A resident of the home awoke to sounds of fire and saw flames near the front porch  around 2 a.m. on July 15th. He attempted to put out the flames while the mother of the  children, ages 6 and 8 years old,  attempted to get them out of a second story window.  As the mother attempted to get the window open she fell out the window and from the second story of the home. The children were trapped inside and unable to make it out.

Fire crews from around Skagit County responded to the home to extinguish the blaze.

Jaramy Chism and Kimberly Hughes had been previously evicted from the home and Kimberly Hughes made online posts on social media seeking revenge for being evicted. Jaramy Chism had also worked for the homeowner but had been fired from that job two weeks prior to the fire.  An altercation had also occurred between Kimberly Hughes and the homeowner on July 8th, where she told him “I will sue you or burn your house down.”

Investigators were able to track Jaramy Chism and Kimberly Hughes to a tent in Sedro-Woolley. They claimed to be homeless and in the tent all night, but investigators found gas cans inside their vehicle and they were both arrested on suspicion of arson and murder of the two children who died in the fire.

Prosecutors have until August 18th to decide whether to charge Kimberly Hughes in Skagit County Superior Court. She is being held in the Skagit County Jail in Lieu of $2 million dollar bail.  The charges against Mr. Chism have been dropped for the time being, but may be re-filed at a later time.

A Go Fund me page has been set up to help the parents of the children with memorial costs. Click here to be taken to the online fundraiser.