A California couple married for 73 years died together when fire swept through their Santa Monica home early Sunday, with their son paying tribute to their “lasting love” in a heartbreaking Facebook post.
Helen and Anthony Spaulding, both 92, were found dead inside their multimillion-dollar residence on the 500 block of Lincoln Boulevard after firefighters responded around 2:54 a.m., according to the Santa Monica Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. Crews pulled both victims from the home almost simultaneously and attempted advanced life support, but were unable to revive them.
“Our crews pulled both victims out, almost simultaneously, and we were able to provide advanced life safety support to them,” a Santa Monica Fire Department spokesperson told KTLA. “Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in reviving the patients, and they had been deceased.”
Helen’s death was ruled an accident caused by smoke inhalation and thermal burns, officials said. Anthony’s manner of death remains unknown pending further investigation.
The couple’s son, Bruce Spaulding, confirmed his parents’ 73-year marriage in a Facebook post grieving their loss. “This is a tribute to lasting love my parents had for each other. Their marriage of 73 years tragically ended early Sunday morning as they passed away from a house fire in the family home,” he wrote.
“One beautiful thing though, they’re taking that next walk together as well. Rest in peace, Mom and Dad.”
The Spauldings’ caregiver, Rick Garcia, told KTLA that Anthony had worked as an attorney and Helen had worked at a church nearby. The couple had lived in the neighborhood for many years and were well-known in the community.
“They were a lovely couple,” Garcia said. “They had a great relationship, five lovely children, all very dedicated to their parents. It’s very tragic.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and authorities have not ruled out foul play. “The police are still doing an investigation,” Garcia told KTLA. “They’re not sure where the fire began, so they’re still trying to decide if there was foul play, is what they told me, so they’re investigating.”
The Spauldings also held property investments in the Los Angeles area., the couple owned an apartment building in the 2300 block of Oakwood Avenue in Venice, and Anthony appeared to own a pair of two-bedroom rental apartments in the 1400 block of Colby Avenue in Los Angeles. The properties carried an estimated combined market value of $1.6 million, the outlet reported.
Santa Monica fire officials and the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office continue to investigate the cause of the fatal blaze.