This morning, the Medical Examiners confirmed the identity of the remains of a woman which was found in the arson fire last Wednesday morning as 44-year old Carey L. Johnson. Johnson was the renter of the house and girlfriend of Zachary S. Sutton.

Sutton remains in custody, without bond, at the Yavapai County Camp Verde Jail where he is awaiting his next court appearance scheduled for 8:00 A.M. on January 20, 2011 in Superior Court, Division 3, in Camp Verde.

January 14, 2011, 3:24 P.M. - Yesterday afternoon, Prescott Police detectives attended the medical examiner’s autopsy of the victim. A Preliminary report from the autopsy and the Medical Examiner indicated the victim died of multiple stab wounds and was deceased prior to the onset of the fire. Positive identification of the victim is not possible, at this time, pending further dental record examination.

January 12, 2011, 7:42 P.M. - Prescott Police detectives arrested 24 year old Zachary S. Sutton in connection with this suspicious fire. Detectives arrested Sutton at the home of his parents located in the 800 block Sunami Ct. in Prescott early this afternoon. Investigation revealed that Sutton, who has no permanent residence, is the boyfriend of the renter who resides at the home of the structure fire located at 710 ½ Campbell Ave. At this time, the female victim has not been identified.

After an interview, detectives booked Sutton into the Yavapai County Jail for one count of 1st Degree Murder, Arson of an Occupied Structure, and Interference with Judicial Proceedings. Further information will be forwarded as it becomes available.

January 12, 2011, 11:12 A.M. - On January 12, 2011 at approximately 6:00 AM, Prescott Police and Fire personnel responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Campbell Avenue. When they arrived, they found a small home fully engulfed in flames.

The fire department extinguished the flames before it spread to any surrounding structures.

Arson Investigators from the Prescott Police Department and Prescott Fire Department entered the home and discovered a deceased human body inside the burned out structure.

At this time, it is unknown how the fire started. The name and exact cause of death of the deceased is also unknown.

Members of the Prescott Police and Fire Departments are continuing to investigate this suspicious fire and death.