The identities of the two bodies found in Friday’s residential fire in Newton County have been released, and the incident is being investigated as a murder-suicide. According to Sheriff Glenn Wheeler, 33-year-old Dustin “Cody” Reno is alleged to have killed his mother, 71-year-old Dianne Reno, started the fire and turned the gun on himself.
Sheriff Wheeler says when firefighters arrived on the scene, they noticed two vehicles parked in a strange manner near the house with the gas doors open and gas caps removed. Blood was found on the front porch, and the door was locked. When deputies recovered the bodies of the two people and a dog, all had gunshot wounds in their heads. Deputies also recovered a .380-caliber handgun and other evidence before the fire became too intense to remain in the house. They had to go in without protective gear to save the bodies.
Sheriff Wheeler says based on evidence at the scene, Dianne Reno was sleeping on a cot in the living room when Cody Reno allegedly placed a pillow over her head and shot her. He then reportedly shot the dog on the porch near its food bowl, carried it back into the house and placed it on the cot with his mother’s body. It is believed Cody Reno later set the house and an outbuilding on fire with the gasoline from the vehicles as an accelerant. He allegedly returned to his mother’s side and took his own life.
According to Sheriff Wheeler, the location of the gun and other evidence supports Cody Reno being the shooter. In addition, people close to the victims told the sheriff and his investigators Cody Reno had a history of behavior and other indicators leading to Friday’s incident.
The bodies of were sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiner’s Office in Little Rock to confirm the cause of death and other details.
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