PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A suspect has taken a plea agreement in connection with the murders of three people who were found dead after a fire was set at an Ahwatukee apartment last year.

One of the suspects in the case,Chase Christman, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of armed robbery and one count of misconduct involving weapons. The first-degree murder charges carry a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of release after serving 25 years.

Christmanisaccused of killing Samuel Lott, 37, Merissa Honeycutt, 27, and Anthony Frederickson-Ceccarelli, 25, following a money disputeover past drug deals.

On July 15, 2024, firefighters were called to the apartment fire near48th Street and Ray Road. After the flames were put out, the victims were found with “obvious signs of trauma” not caused by the fire.

Honeycutt was reportedly stabbed nearly 30 times, and Lott was stabbed three times in his neck. Frederickson-Ceccarelli was shot once in the head.

Investigators later discovered that Christman and Frederickson-Ceccarelli arranged a drug deal the night before the fire was set.A second suspect, Dorian Rice, allegedly waited outside while Christman was inside with the victims.

Rice was reportedly the “getaway driver” in the crime. His case is still pending in court.

As part of the plea deal, several other charges Christman was facing were dropped. He’s scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2025.

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