Family murdered before mansion fire was held overnight

Investigators believe a Washington, D.C., family murdered Thursday may have known their attacker, and more than one person was likely involved.

According to NBC Washington, it’s likely the killers knew the family’s day-to-day lives and didn’t force their way into the home. Savvas Savopoulos; his wife, Amy; their son, Philip; and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa were found dead Thursday in their badly burned upscale D.C. home.

It’s likely the killers accessed the home Wednesday, NBC Washington reported, and held the family hostage while Savvas Savopoulos “gave them what they were looking for.”

On Wednesday evening, the other housekeeper, Nelitza Gutierrez, received texts from both Savopoulus saying her services weren’t needed before they were found dead, according to police reports obtained by the Washington Post.

The couple’s 2008 blue Porsche 911, stolen from the home shortly after the fire, was found torched in a nearby parking lot. Neighbors who had been to the home said the family had a valuable art collection, NBC Washington reported.

Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva