Couple Found Dead After Santa Monica Fire

In a tragic event, the bodies of a couple in their 90s were discovered in their Santa Monica home following a fire. Helen and Anthony Spaulding, both aged 92, were found deceased in their luxurious residence located on Lincoln Boulevard early Sunday morning.

A spokesperson from the Santa Monica Fire Department reported, “Our crews were able to extricate two victims at approximately the same time and provide them with advanced life safety support.” Unfortunately, attempts to resuscitate Anthony were unsuccessful.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed their identities, noting they had been married for an impressive 73 years. Helen’s death has been ruled an accident caused by smoke inhalation and burns; however, the cause of Anthony’s death still remains undetermined.

Bruce Spalding, their son, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, expressing that their long-lasting love was evident and that their marriage ended tragically on Sunday morning. He wrote, “This is a tribute to the enduring love my parents had for each other.” He also conveyed a sense of peace, saying, “But one of the great things is that we’re going on the next walk together. Rest in peace, mom and dad.”

Rick Garcia, their caregiver, reminisced about the couple, describing Anthony as a retired lawyer and Helen as someone who worked at a local church. He noted their decades-long presence in the neighborhood and how devoted their five children were. Garcia remarked, “They were a lovely couple. They had a great relationship, and it’s very tragic.”

According to reports, the family also owned an apartment building in Venice and additional rental properties in Los Angeles, bringing the total value of their holdings to approximately $1.6 million.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and the possibility of foul play hasn’t been ruled out. Garcia mentioned that police are actively working to determine where the fire initiated, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.