A Redding couple has been charged with the death of a man who perished in his burning home a year-and-a-half ago. In the afternoon of September 27th, 2022 Redding Fire Department was called to a house fire on Capricorn Way. Firefighters found 20-year-old Blake Bauder deceased and severely burned. Redding Police detectives began an investigation, eventually learning that Bauder had smoked a lethal quantity of fentanyl and had been holding a burning torch that started the fire. Further investigation led detectives to believe the fentanyl had been delivered and sold to Bauder by 29-year-old Michael Horner and his wife, 30-year-old Sandra Valenzuela. Felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and drug sales were filed by the District Attorney’s Office and Tuesday the couple was booked into jail.
-Steve Gibson