2 in Madison Heights house fire died in murder-suicide, police say

A Madison Heights couple who were killed in a house fire Wednesday have been identified.

Christopher Spicer, 40, and Candace Hawkins, 42, were found inside the home on West Harwood Avenue near John R and Lincoln Avenue, police said Thursday.

Spicer lived at the home but Hawkins had a different address in the Oakland County suburb. Investigators said the two had been in a past dating relationship.

Officials also said the fire appears to have been intentionally set and the couple's death seems to have been a murder-suicide.

Autopsies conducted Thursday revealed Spicer died from self-inflicted stab wounds, according to a preliminary report.

Hawkins' death appears to have been a homicide and her autopsy revealed she suffered multiple stab wounds that were not self-inflicted, according to police.

"The Madison Heights Police Department is still reviewing evidence to confirm if it is consistent with both the autopsy results and the Madison Heights Fire Department’s determination," officials said in a statement. "Our condolences go out to those affected by this tragedy."

First responders were called before 10 a.m. Wednesday to a home in the 50 block of West Harwood Avenue near John R and Lincoln Avenue for a report of a fire, authorities said. Firefighters went into the single-story home and found two people dead.

Anyone with information about the fire should call Madison Heights Police Det. Lt. David Koehler at (248) 837-2732 or the Madison Heights Police Department at (248) 585-2100.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez