Arrest Made in Murrieta Mobile Home Fire That Claimed Two Young Lives
Fatal Fire Under Investigation in Murrieta
Authorities are set to file multiple felony charges against a man and a woman arrested in connection with a tragic residential fire that claimed the lives of two juveniles and several pets in Murrieta on December 20, 2025.
At approximately 4:42 a.m. on the day of the incident, officers from the Murrieta Police Department and firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 41600 block of Knight Drive. Upon arrival, they discovered a mobile home, carport, three vehicles, two outbuildings, and a large pine tree engulfed in flames.
It took nearly 45 minutes to extinguish the fire. Sadly, once it was safe, responders found that two juveniles and multiple pets had perished in the blaze.
A joint investigation by detectives and arson investigators revealed probable cause to believe that the fire was the result of criminal actions by two residents of the home: Stacey Hales, 46, and Adam Keenan, 43. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office plans to file several felony charges against both individuals.
Hales, a resident of Murrieta, is currently out of custody on $160,000 bail and awaits a court appearance. Meanwhile, Keenan was arrested on Friday and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
The charges against Hales include reckless burning causing death, reckless burning of an inhabited structure, child endangerment, animal cruelty, and being under the influence of a controlled substance, along with a sentence enhancement. Keenan is facing two counts of child endangerment.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Velazquez at 951-461-6340 or to submit tips anonymously through the Murrieta Police Department’s website.
