Three Found Dead in Hardy County Fire

(METRO NEWS)-Investigators say three people found dead in a Hardy County fire Friday night were shot to death first.Police and the state Fire Marshal’s Office say the fire was set at the house in the community of Mathias in an attempt to cover-up the murders of Dennis “Chip” Taylor 34, Alaina Taylor, 38 and Alaina’s five year old daughter, Kaylee Grace Whetzel.

“It’s a set fire,” Assistant State Fire Marshal Patrick Barker told MetroNews. Samples have been sent to a lab for further examination.

Police in Rockingham County, Virginia arrested Nakia Heath Keller, 34 and Lorie Ann Taylor, 34, Tuesday morning and charged them with the crimes.

Investigators say Lorie Ann Taylor is the ex-wife of Chip Taylor and the two had been in a heated custody battle over their three children, who were not present at the fire.

Keller and Taylor are awaiting extradition to West Virginia.

The Hardy County Sheriff’s Dept. and West Virginia State Police are leading the investigation.