Son Charged with Murder After Fatal Act of Violence Against Elderly Parents
In a tragic case of family violence, 44-year-old Darius Hazard stands accused of murder and arson after allegedly assaulting his elderly parents before setting their North Adams, Massachusetts home ablaze and leaving them to perish in the flames. According to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, firefighters discovered the bodies of 76-year-old Venture and 83-year-old Donald Hazard in their living room after responding to a house fire early Monday morning. The medical examiner later determined that both victims died from smoke inhalation, adding a devastating layer to an already heartbreaking story of familial betrayal and violence.
Investigators report that Hazard confessed to physically attacking his parents in their home before deliberately pouring gasoline throughout the residence and igniting it. Perhaps most disturbing in his confession were the details that followed—Hazard acknowledged hearing his parents’ desperate pleas for help as they called out “come back” and “help us, we are in trouble” while he abandoned them in the burning structure. The violent episode allegedly began around 3 a.m. when Hazard was helping his father assist his mother, who had fallen and had limited mobility due to advanced arthritis and scoliosis. Hazard told authorities that he “snapped” and became “really, really angry” during this interaction, unleashing a violent assault on both parents.
The confession paints a disturbing picture of escalating violence, as Hazard described yelling at his parents and repeatedly striking them despite his father’s pleas to stop. He reportedly pushed both elderly parents to the floor and continued his assault using various objects and his fists, even throwing a fan at his father. After the physical attack, Hazard poured gasoline on the living room floor and upstairs areas before setting the home on fire and driving away—fully aware that he was leaving his injured but still-living parents trapped in a burning building. Police later apprehended Hazard in a Walmart parking lot, where they discovered he had attempted to stab himself, sustaining injuries to his thigh and chest.
In his statements to law enforcement, Hazard acknowledged that he “should not have lost his cool like this,” revealing a chilling awareness of his actions. He admitted to having lost his temper in the past—yelling or breaking things—but claimed this was the first time he had physically assaulted his parents. This admission suggests a possible history of escalating domestic tension within the household, culminating in this deadly incident. The case represents a stark example of how family violence can sometimes evolve from verbal confrontations to deadly physical attacks, particularly when caregiving situations create additional stress within already strained relationships.
The alleged crime is especially heartbreaking considering the vulnerability of the victims. Hazard’s mother struggled with mobility issues that made her particularly defenseless against physical assault, while both parents, in their late 70s and early 80s, would have had limited ability to escape from a burning home without assistance. Their calls for help as their son abandoned them paint a devastating final chapter to their lives. The betrayal of trust inherent in family violence makes such cases particularly disturbing, as those who should provide protection and care instead become perpetrators of harm against vulnerable loved ones.
Despite the detailed confession reported by authorities, Hazard has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. He remains held without bail at Berkshire County House of Correction as the legal process moves forward. This case highlights the complex and often hidden nature of elder abuse, which can sometimes escalate to deadly violence. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of recognizing warning signs of potential violence within families and the critical need for intervention services that might prevent such devastating outcomes.
