Man charged with murder after Elizabethtown house fire

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – Two men are found dead after crews responded to a structure fire on Henon Lane, Wednesday night.

The Elizabethtown Police Department says inside of the burning residence, they found 41-year-old Blake France of Greenville and 43-year-old Anthony Garret of Elizabethtown both had sustained gunshot wounds.

They say the fire was also determined to have been intentionally set. Witnesses reported seeing a gold pickup truck leaving the scene. Officers located that vehicle at a local motel. Video surveillance showed 45-year-old Dustin Caudill exiting the vehicle and later discarding a handgun. Further investigation revealed personal belongings of the deceased victims inside Caudill’s motel room.

During the investigation, it was discovered Caudill had also discharged his firearm at a third victim. Police say during an interview, Caudill confessed to the offenses, specifically admitting to shooting the victims and intentionally setting fire to the residence. He also admitted to stealing wallets from the victims and discarding them in a gas station trash can.

Caudill was taken into custody and charged with Arson, 1st degree; two counts of murder, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, robbery, 1st degree and wanton endangerment. 1st degree.

He is held in the Hardin County Detention Center.