Paul Hait,Jo-Ann Hait Obituary, Death; – The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office has officially identified the two individuals who lost their lives in the fire that occurred on January 26 in the Town of Wappinger, and has announced that additional charges have been filed against the suspect.
At approximately 6:30 p.m. on January 26, deputies were dispatched to Marlorville Road following reports of a fire. After the blaze was extinguished, the bodies of two victims were discovered inside the residence, both of whom were deceased.
Following an initial investigation, 34-year-old Robert J. Buda was apprehended for allegedly setting the fire intentionally and was charged with felony second-degree arson. He was subsequently arraigned in the Town of Wappinger Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center.
The victims have been identified as 63-year-old Paul Hait and 65-year-old Jo-Ann Hait. Buda is now facing accusations of murdering the Haits and their dog prior to igniting the fire. The sheriff’s office has indicated that Buda was acquainted with the victims but has refrained from disclosing further details to maintain the integrity of the ongoing legal proceedings.
On Friday, Buda was arrested again by detectives from the sheriff’s office. He now faces charges of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and aggravated cruelty to animals. The initial charge of second-degree arson has been elevated to first-degree arson.
Buda was arraigned once more in the Town of Wappinger Court and was remanded back to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center without the possibility of bail.
The investigation is being conducted with the assistance of several agencies, including the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit, the Arlington Fire Department Special Operations Unit, and the Hughsonville Fire Department.
Individuals who may possess information regarding this incident or who were present in the Marlorville Road area on the evening of January 26 are encouraged to reach out to Detective G.
