A man has been taken into custody on suspicion of setting a fire in his residence that resulted 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 law enforcement officials. Upon responding to multiple 911 calls, authorities found the house ablaze and a vehicle crashed into its garage.
Responders encountered several individuals with burn injuries and a young woman who had managed to escape the burning home. Unfortunately, two fatalities were discovered inside the property, identified as Kristine Rowan, a cerebral palsy patient, and Mary Blake, 74. Blake, the suspect, was later located in a wooded area nearby with severe burns after a search involving drones and tracker dogs.
During the investigation, authorities found a plastic petrol can near the dining area and noted the presence of flammable liquid odors in the living room. Blake received medical treatment for his injuries but left the hospital without informing the authorities, prompting a search effort by State Police and US Marshals leading to his apprehension in Avon, Indiana.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated that Blake remained hospitalized for an extended period due to his injuries. Upon his release without notification on April 1, 2026, law enforcement personnel began efforts to locate him, resulting in his subsequent arrest on April 13. Blake, declaring himself indigent, was assigned a public defender and is currently in custody awaiting a hearing scheduled for April 20.