by Geoff Fox
Two more people have been arrested in connection to the November 2025 house fire that claimed the lives of three Clear Spring residents. The recent charges have now brought the number of suspects involved in the deaths up to five.
Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit made the additional arrests earlier this month.
According to a Maryland State Police press release, Lanea George, 40, of Owings Mills, and David Chapple, 43, of Baltimore, were identified as those arrested.
George is charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
Police said she was being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center awaiting transport to the Washington County Detention Center.
Chapple was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and is being held without bail at the Washington County Detention Center.
Police said he was indicted by a Washington County Circuit Court Grand Jury and is awaiting his initial appearance.
In December, Maryland State Police arrested Darnell (aka Donnell) Hawkins, 47, of Hagerstown; Maurice Mouzon, 46, of Baltimore; and Kierra White, 35, of Glen Burnie, in connection with the fatal fire.
Deputies from the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to a single-story, single-family residence in the 13000 block of National Pike in Clear Spring shortly after 5 a.m. on November 18, for a reported fatal structure fire.
During an initial investigation, signs of foul play were discovered to include K-9 alerts for accelerants at the home and trauma to the victims that were inconsistent with fire-related injuries.
Police identified the victims as Brittany Ray, 31, Harold Flichman, 36, and Brianna Mae Weishaar, 25, all from Clear Spring, and all three were pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency medical service personnel.
Autopsy results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore revealed the cause and manner of death to be homicide by gunshot.
The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit continues to lead the investigation and ongoing investigation along with allied law enforcement agencies including the Office of the State Fire Marshal, FBI Baltimore, Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Hagerstown Police Department, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Office of the State’s Attorney in Washington County.
State Police Investigators anticipate additional arrests and urge members of the public with pertinent information related to the investigation to contact the Maryland State Police Barrack at 301-766-3800. Calls may remain confidential.
