David Scott Pettit, 59, and his wife Janet, 59, were found dead in their Modesto home on August 8, 2013, after firefighters answered an early-morning blaze. Investigators concluded both had been shot multiple times before the fire was set; David was shot five times, including twice in the head, and Janet was shot twice, including a head wound and a thigh wound. Accelerant was found on their clothing and furniture, indicating the fire was started deliberately after the killings.

Police turned their attention to the couple’s son, Brandon Pettit, then 25 and living with his parents, and a friend, Felix Valverde III, then 26. Brandon was working a night shift the night of the deaths but was accused of conspiring with Felix, who was alleged to have carried out the shootings and started the fire. Prosecutors said a financial motive existed because Brandon stood to inherit life insurance and other assets; items belonging to the victims were found in Felix’s possession.

Both men were charged with premeditated murder, arson and burglary. Brandon was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in September 2020 and sentenced to consecutive life terms without parole in February 2021; that conviction was later overturned on appeal in October 2022 because of a Miranda violation, and prosecutors announced plans to retry the case. Did anyone in Modesto know the Pettits well enough to share details about their lives, finances or who had access to the house around that time?