A 32-year-old California man was arrested for murder and arson after a house fire killed four of his family members.
Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, is accused of setting fire to the home that he shared with his father, sister and his young niece and nephew, the Richmond Police Department said.
On Aug. 18, fire crews responded to a home in the 200 block of 15th Street in Richmond, a city in Northern California, around 8:45 p.m.
Firefighters entered the burning home and found four victims who were brought outside.
Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, of Richmond, (left) is seen in an August 2026 booking photo. (Richmond Police Department) / His father, Jose Rivera, 47, his nephew, Andrew, 5, and his niece, Joline, 2, along with the children’s mother, were killed in a house fire the suspect is accused of setting. (GoFundMe)
The two young victims, 5-year-old Andrew (right) and his sister, 2-year-old Joline, (left) are seen in a family photo (GoFundMe)
The two young victims, 5-year-old Andrew and his sister, 2-year-old Joline, are seen in a family photo (GoFundMe)
The victims’ Richmond home in Contra Costa County, California was destroyed in a suspected arson fire. (KRON)
Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, of Richmond, is seen in an August 2026 booking photo. (Richmond Police Department)
Jose Rivera, 47, is seen with his two young grandchildren in a family photo. (GoFundMe)
Jose Rivera, 47, was pronounced dead at the scene. His 5-year-old grandson, Andrew, died while being transported to the hospital and his 2-year-old granddaughter, Joline, died at the hospital on Aug. 19.
The children’s 33-year-old mother was in critical condition before she died on Aug. 22, KRON reported.
The motive for the deadly incident remains under investigation.
The suspect’s uncle told KTVU that Rivera-Vega had reportedly been experiencing mental health issues and had made verbal threats against the family just last month.
Rivera-Vega was arrested near the scene of the fire and booked on suspicion of murder and arson causing great bodily injury. He was held on $2.5 million bail.
He was later charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with three counts of murder and special circumstances of multiple murder and arson.
Sergio Rivera-Vega, 32, of Richmond, is seen in an August 2026 booking photo. (Richmond Police Department)
The suspect’s sister, Evelin Rivera, wrote on a GoFundMe page, “My older brother set the house on fire with my dad, my older sister, my 5-year-old nephew, and my 2-year-old niece inside. My mom and I are heartbroken and overwhelmed trying to process so much loss all at once.”
Evelin said that as her family continues dealing with the loss, they are struggling to cover funeral costs and her sister’s medical bills. The GoFundMe page to help the victims’ family can be found here.
“The Richmond Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, the department said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic loss.”
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