being a police snitch can get your killed. Original Article Two victims of massacre were police informants By Paul Giblin and Gary Grado Tribune February 22, 2006 William Miller, 28 Two people found slain in a Mesa home early Tuesday were police informants in the case of a Scottsdale man accused of burning down his own home in November. Steven Duffy, 30, and Tammy Lovell, 32, worked at a Scottsdale business owned by William Craig Miller, who has been charged with setting fire to his north Scottsdale residence for insurance money. A third victim, Steven Duffy's 18-year-old brother Shane, also worked at the company but was not implicated in the arson case set to go to trial in May. Cassandra Lovell, 15, and Jacob Lovell, 10 were also killed Tuesday. Police won't say if Miller is a suspect. Police also say they haven't determined a motive for the slayings including whether it might be a case of murder-suicide. The Duffys and Lovells were found dead of gunshot wounds in a home they rented at 2208 S. Barrington in a quiet gated community known as Barrington Estates about four months ago, police said. Steven Duffy and Tammy Lovell were in a romantic relationship, as were Cassandra Lovell and Shane Duffy, police said. Steven Duffy was charged along with Miller in the Nov. 25 fire at Miller's home, 12673 N. 79th St. Steven Duffy also listed that address as his residence in connection with several traffic citations issued within the last year by Scottsdale police. Court documents show that Tammy Lovell tipped off police to the possible arson and that she and Steven Duffy later worked with Scottsdale police as Miller made incriminating statements, tape-recorded by police, about the fire. Miller told the Tribune in a brief phone interview Wednesday that Mesa police had contacted his office Tuesday to request employee files for Steven and Shane Duffy and Tammy Lovell. Police wanted background information on the former employees, but he said he declined the request after talking with his attorney. "Im not allowed to give out personal information about employees without a signed release from the employee, Miller said. Police had not contacted Miller personally by Wednesday morning, Miller said. He would not elaborate about his relationship with the Duffys or Lovells. All I can tell you is what I told you," Miller said. "I cant really say anything about the whole situation. When asked about his whereabouts early Tuesday morning, he replied, Im not talking about anything. Im not talking about anything regarding Steve and Tammy. Millers attorney, Phil Noland, also declined to discuss Millers connection to the investigation. Noland read the following statement: The death of the Duffy brothers and Tammy Lovell and her children are tragic, whether they were the result of a murder-suicide or murder at the hands of another. Mr. Miller is shocked and saddened by the deaths and hopes that the police do a thorough and fair investigation to determine the cause of their deaths and whether anyone aside from the victims were involved in these tragic deaths. According to court records, Steven Duffy and Miller were indicted in December on allegations they set fire to Miller's home. Miller, who owns Puroclean of Scottsdale, a business specializing in restoration of fire-damaged buildings, told police someone broke in and stole firearms and electronics. He apparently was having financial trouble with the business, and he was trying to get the insurance money by burning the house, Scottsdale detective Sam Bailey said at the time. According to court documents, Tammy Lovell tipped off police that her boyfriend, Steven Duffy, was involved in the planning and execution of the fire. Steven Duffy then agreed to cooperate with police. He told them he helped Miller load some items, including a plasma TV and firearms, into a pickup truck and then helped Miller pour gasoline around the residence. Steven Duffy told police Miller had complained that he was having financial troubles with his business and needed the insurance money on the house, mortgaged at $450,000. Duffy and Miller were both charged with arson of an occupied structure, and Miller was also charged with filing fraudulent insurance claims and attempted fraudulent schemes. Miller is free on $10,000 bail. Scottsdale officials on Wednesday declined a Tribune request by the Tribune for the arson investigation report. "We have determined, that at this time, the release of the requested materials is not in the best interest of the government," assistant city attorney Luis Santaella wrote in an e-mail. Mesa police also asked the Scottsdale Police Department and Maricopa County Sheriff's Office to withhold reports on the arson case and booking photos of Miller until after detectives reviewed them. The killings were discovered early Tuesday after neighbors heard screams and gunshots and called police to the community near Baseline and Ellsworth roads. Mesa police received several 911 calls about 2:41 a.m. Tuesday reporting a woman screaming and gunfire. A SWAT team broke in the door about 5:15 a.m. and found the bodies. Investigators said there were signs of a struggle inside the home, but no sign of forced entry. Tammy Lovell's sister told The Associated Press that the family was not a violent one. There was a lot of love in that home, said the sister, who asked that her name not be used. There was not domestic violence. A close family friend described Tammy Lovell as selfless and a devoted daughter who called her mother in Utah every morning, no matter the phone bills. The friend, who also did not want her name used, said Cassandra was a "sweet girl" who always sought approval, and Jacob was remarkable for his intelligence. He would outthink most adults, she said. You know youve got to be smart to talk to this kid. . . . I just wish he didnt have to die this way. - Tribune writers Mike Branom, Kristina Davis, Katie McDevitt and Mark Flatten contributed to this report Contact Paul Giblin by email, or phone (480) 970-2331. Contact Gary Grado by email, or phone (602) 258-1746.