Overview
- A massive blast leveled a Plainfield Township house at about 4 a.m. Tuesday, killing 62‑year‑old Doug Preston and critically injuring his 61‑year‑old wife Lucy, who was pulled from the rubble by neighbors and taken to intensive care.
- Kent County investigators now treat the case as an apparent murder‑suicide and say preliminary evidence indicates natural gas was intentionally released into the home's basement, although the exact ignition source has not been determined.
- Officials say recovered text messages, witness statements and other exchanges informed their assessment, and they have told the public there is no ongoing gas‑leak risk to the wider neighborhood.
- Lucy Preston suffered severe fourth‑degree burns across much of her body, remains on a ventilator and faces a long series of surgeries and rehabilitation after the rescue by neighbors Tim Johnson and 17‑year‑old Mandrell Bryant, who were also injured in the effort.
- The couple had filed for divorce in March and were under a mutual restraining order with a court hearing set later this week, and investigators are continuing forensic searches and interviews while the community raises funds and support for Lucy.