Carolina Beach deadly fires suspect charged with first degree murder

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The man suspected in a string of deadly fires has been formally charged with first degree murder in a hearing Thursday.

The town of Carolina Beach continues to pick up the pieces from the three fires that happened Saturday morning.

Resident Jeremy Linquist says it’s impacting everyone.

“We’re a small community” Linquist said. “Anytime something big like this happens, it affects everybody whether it’s directly or indirectly,” Linquist said.

While the town continues coping, Marshall Hudson Doran, 22, is charged in the murders of Darlene Maslar, 43, and Mary Cochran, 72. The two women died in the fire at 409 Carolina Beach Ave. South early Saturday morning. That was the first of three fires that night. The second fire was called in at 3:45 a.m. at 811 Carolina Beach Ave. The third fire was called in at 4:34 a.m. at 1123 South Lake Park Blvd.

Doran was first charged Saturday with attempted first-degree burglary at 611 Carolina Beach Avenue.

Doran could ultimately face the death penalty, and he is now being held in the New Hanover County Jail under no bond.

Doran’s Family’s attorney spoke on there behalf after the hearing.

“They’ve lived in this community for more than 20 years in their home for more than 20 years,” Roger Smith Jr. said. “They are absolutely heart broken and grief stricken over what happened this past weekend, the tragedy that happened and came upon this community. Their prayers go out to the families that were involved here.”

Linquist says it’s nice to know they’ve found a suspect, but that’s not his focus.

“My focus has been more about the victims as opposed to the culprit,” Linquist said.

So, they more forward, and right now Linquist says that means sharing stories.

“That’s what you do at this point,” Linquist said. “You talk about it. You kind of let everybody get the emotions out. They range from angry, to you know relieved, to just sad.”

District Attorney Ben David said in the hearing that he plans to file additional charges for injuries, property damage and pets killed in the fires. David also said he plans to take the case to a grand jury to be indicted on charges.