A man has been taken into custody on suspicion of setting fire to his residence, resulting in the tragic deaths of his 74-year-old grandmother, her caregiver, and a woman with cerebral palsy. Brayden Blake faces charges of murder and arson following the incident in the 3800 block of East Anderson Road near Bloomington, as reported by Indiana authorities.
Upon responding to multiple 911 calls reporting a fire and a car collision at the property, law enforcement officers found the home ablaze with several individuals sustaining burn injuries. An 18-year-old woman managed to escape the inferno, leading to the discovery of deceased victims within the premises.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s office disclosed that Blake’s teenage accomplice and another individual, identified as Paula Anderson, managed to flee the scene. Unfortunately, the lifeless bodies of Kristine Rowan, who suffered from cerebral palsy, and Mary Blake were found inside the residence.
Subsequently, a search operation was initiated for Blake, with law enforcement utilizing drones and tracker dogs to locate him. Blake was eventually found in a wooded area near the property, sustaining significant burn wounds.
During the investigation, authorities discovered a plastic petrol can near the dining room and detected the smell of flammable liquid on a chair in the living room. Blake was hospitalized for his injuries but was discharged without notifying the police, prompting a search that led to his apprehension in Avon, Indiana.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated that Blake was confined to Eskenazi Hospital for an extended period due to his injuries. However, upon his release on April 1, 2026, without notification, law enforcement personnel commenced efforts to locate him, eventually booking him into the Monroe County Jail on April 13. Blake faces charges including three counts of murder, three counts of murder during arson, and one count of arson.
During a court appearance before Judge Darcie Fawcett, Blake indicated his financial inability to afford a private attorney and was assigned a public defender. He remains in custody pending a scheduled hearing on April 20.
