Georgia man faces murder charges after a mother, her son found dead in house fire with stab wounds

GROVETOWN, Ga. (TCD) — A 32-year-old man is in custody after a 47-year-old mother and her juvenile son were found dead in a house fire this week with apparent knife wounds.

On Monday, April 1, at around 10:53 a.m., Grovetown Fire Department personnel responded to a structure fire at 309 Newmantown Road, Grovetown Police said in a news release. Around the same time, officers said the city’s general services director saw the home ablaze and learned from a neighbor there were people inside. He reportedly tried to enter the home, but firefighters arrived and made their way in to search for occupants.

According to police, Donald Beck was located inside a rear window. He allegedly broke the glass and tried to escape from the home, and firefighters pulled him from the flames. Beck reportedly said there were others in the fire, and he was transported to a hospital for treatment.

After the flames were extinguished, officials found Karen Boswell and her son dead in a front room with thermal injuries. The coroner and State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene.

The coroner determined the deceased victims had sustained knife injuries. Their bodies will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab to be autopsied.

Police said Beck and Boswell resided together in the home with other children.

According to records, Beck was booked into the Columbia County Jail on Tuesday, April 2, on two counts of murder and first-degree arson. He remains held without bond.

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