Bartlesville Police Identify Five Bodies Found After Saturday's Fire

Bartlesville Police have identified the five people found dead after a house fire on Saturday morning.

Monday, January 6th 2014, 11:32 am

By: Richard Clark


The ATF and OSBI have been called in to help investigate a fire in Bartlesville that killed five people.

1/4/2014: Related Story: Five Bodies Discovered In Bartlesville House Fire

Bartlesville Police say preliminary reports indicate all the victims died of smoke inhalation, but investigators are still trying to figure out how the fire started.

Destiny Daugherty was a young woman with a strong head on her shoulders.

Her family said you knew exactly where you stood with her and that's what made her so special.

Michelle Malicoat, Destiny's Mother, said, "Just knowing that she's in a better place, that helps. But it's going to be hard for a while."

Michelle and Kelly Malicoat are leaning to each other after their daughter was killed in a house fire in Bartlesville.

Destiny was one of five people who died in the home early Saturday morning.

"I think I'm really in a state of numbness at this point," said Kelly Mailcoat, Destiny's father. "We've cried our eyes out, we'll still cry our eyes out.

Bartlesville Police say Daugherty, 18, her boyfriend Kevin Lomax, 19, Shelby Sanders, 23, Jeremy Blair, 38, and a 17-year old boy whose name has not been released, appear to have all died from smoke inhalation.

A sixth person was inside the home and escaped, while two other people were staying on the property but were not inside the home at the time of the fire.

"They're young, so yeah, there's parties and friends and hangout spot and all that," Kelly Mailcoat said. "They were going through life just like we all did at that age."

Bartlesville Police has asked the ATF to help them investigate. While BPD admits that is a bit unusual, they say, the ATF just has more resources and they want to make sure nothing is overlooked.

A memorial has been placed at the home, a dedication to those who died.

Daugherty's parents say she loved to dance and was devoted to her dogs, who also died in the fire.

They say she was the kind of person who made an impression, someone who could never be forgotten.

"We'll remember Destiny on Destiny's terms and that's the good, the bad, and, most times even the bad is comical," Kelly Mailcoat said.

There are a number of ways to help the victims.

An account has been set up at Arvest bank for all five, it's called Bartlesville Fire Victims.

Anyone wanting to donate can go to any Arvest location and deposit or transfer funds.

Mailed in contributions are welcome by sending them to:

100 South East Frank Phillips Boulevard
Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74003

The family of Destiny Jo Daugherty, also called Destiny Jo Malicoat, has set up a site to accept donations on her behalf. You can visit that site here.

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