John Jefferson
Inset: Robert J. Buda (Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The home that Buda allegedly set on fire after killing his in-laws (Google Maps).
A 34-year-old man in New York has been arrested for allegedly killing his in-laws and their dog before setting the couple’s house on fire.
Robert J. Buda was taken into custody last week and charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder in the slayings of Paul Hait and Jo-Ann Hait, authorities announced.
In addition to the murder charges, Buda is also facing one count of first-degree arson and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
According to a news release from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, deputies at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, responded to a call regarding a residential structure fire at a home in the 100 block of Marlorville Road in the town of Wappingers Falls, New York. Wappingers Falls is about 65 miles north of New York City.
First responders were able to extinguish the fire and, upon entering the home, discovered two victims inside the residence, both of whom were pronounced dead on the scene. The victims were later identified as 63-year-old Paul Hait and 65-year-old Jo-Ann Hait.
Following a preliminary investigation, authorities said Buda was responsible for “intentionally setting fire to the residence.” He was arrested within a day of the blaze on one count of second-degree arson and held on bond of $1 million. Following the arrest, the sheriff’s office said there was “no danger to the public-at-large.”
Buda on Friday, Jan. 31, was placed under arrest again on the upgraded charges.
Authorities did not provide details about Buda’s relationship to the Haits, only saying in a follow-up news release that the victims “were known” to him. According to a report from Westchester-based News12, Buda is married to the Haits’ daughter, who was not identified by the station.
Authorities have been tight-lipped about the investigation, refusing to release any additional details regarding a possible motive or cause of death for the victims “in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing court proceedings.”
Buda was arraigned before the Town of Wappinger Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center where he is currently being held without bond.
A woman who said she had known the Haits for nearly two decades mourned the loss in a Facebook post commenting on the sheriff’s initial news release.
“I can not fathom why anyone would want to hurt these two incredibly kind souls. Mr Paul & Ms Jo Ann it has been an honorable pleasure of 17 years to be your neighbor,” the post said, in part. “You were truly a light of friendship, kindness and love, an you both genuinely restored a little faith to humanity in my heart.”
Authorities have urged anyone who may have information relevant to the case or who may have been in the Marlorville Road area during the evening of Jan. 26 to contact Detective Griffin via phone at 845-486-3809, via email at [email protected], or to use the sheriff’s office’s tip line at 845-486-CLUE (2583) or [email protected].
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