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Two bodies found in burned Annapolis mansion Two bodies found in burned Annapolis mansion
(about 12 hours later)
Crews found the remains of two bodies in the rubble of an Annapolis mansion that burned to the ground Monday morning, but what caused the blaze at the home of a wealthy computer networking executive remains unexplained.Crews found the remains of two bodies in the rubble of an Annapolis mansion that burned to the ground Monday morning, but what caused the blaze at the home of a wealthy computer networking executive remains unexplained.
The grim discovery was made Wednesday, the first day investigators could safely enter the charred ruins of the 16,000-square-foot home in which a total of six people — four of them elementary-school-aged children — are feared dead.The grim discovery was made Wednesday, the first day investigators could safely enter the charred ruins of the 16,000-square-foot home in which a total of six people — four of them elementary-school-aged children — are feared dead.
[Related: Relatives of Annapolis mansion fire victims confirm deaths, identify family members]
Four are still missing, said Lt. Russell Davies Jr., spokesman for the Anne Arundel County fire department, at a Wednesday news conference, where he was joined by the Anne Arundel county executive, fire chief, police chief and state’s attorney, as well as officials from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state fire marshal’s office.Four are still missing, said Lt. Russell Davies Jr., spokesman for the Anne Arundel County fire department, at a Wednesday news conference, where he was joined by the Anne Arundel county executive, fire chief, police chief and state’s attorney, as well as officials from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the state fire marshal’s office.
Davies declined to say whether the remains belonged to children or adults or where the bodies were found. He said investigators did not yet have clues as to whether foul play was involved.Davies declined to say whether the remains belonged to children or adults or where the bodies were found. He said investigators did not yet have clues as to whether foul play was involved.
Investigators have been searching for the mansion’s owners, Don Pyle, 56, the chief operating officer of Northern Virginia-based ScienceLogic, and his wife, Sandra, 63, and the couple’s four grandchildren — two sets of cousins who lived nearby.Investigators have been searching for the mansion’s owners, Don Pyle, 56, the chief operating officer of Northern Virginia-based ScienceLogic, and his wife, Sandra, 63, and the couple’s four grandchildren — two sets of cousins who lived nearby.
The headmaster of the Severn School, where the children were enrolled, said in a letter to parents Monday that the four children and their grandparents had died.The headmaster of the Severn School, where the children were enrolled, said in a letter to parents Monday that the four children and their grandparents had died.
The bodies were sent to the Maryland medical examiner’s office in Baltimore to be autopsied and identified, Davies said.The bodies were sent to the Maryland medical examiner’s office in Baltimore to be autopsied and identified, Davies said.
Cadaver dogs brought in for the search did not find the bodies but did have “positive hits” around the scene, Davies said.Cadaver dogs brought in for the search did not find the bodies but did have “positive hits” around the scene, Davies said.
Crews will continue to sift through the wreckage, which still held hot spots more than 48 hours after 80 firefighters battled the four-alarm blaze. “There is still a lot of work to be done,” Davies said. “This is a massive effort and will take days to complete.”Crews will continue to sift through the wreckage, which still held hot spots more than 48 hours after 80 firefighters battled the four-alarm blaze. “There is still a lot of work to be done,” Davies said. “This is a massive effort and will take days to complete.”
The fire was reported on the eight-acre property on Childs Point Road at 3:30 a.m. Monday.The fire was reported on the eight-acre property on Childs Point Road at 3:30 a.m. Monday.
Authorities said earlier that they were conducting an “active criminal investigation,” although they did not have any reason to believe that the fire was suspicious. Davies repeated on Wednesday that it was too early to tell whether foul play was involved.Authorities said earlier that they were conducting an “active criminal investigation,” although they did not have any reason to believe that the fire was suspicious. Davies repeated on Wednesday that it was too early to tell whether foul play was involved.
The Pyles built the elaborate home, known in the neighborhood as the “castle,” in 2005. They loved to entertain there, hosting fundraisers and family parties. Many of the parties revolved around the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens.The Pyles built the elaborate home, known in the neighborhood as the “castle,” in 2005. They loved to entertain there, hosting fundraisers and family parties. Many of the parties revolved around the Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens.
Don Pyle, who grew up north of Baltimore and played lacrosse at the University of Delaware, was an avid sports fan. In September 2013, when the Delaware football team traveled to Annapolis to play Navy, the Pyles hosted an event for alumni and school leaders, said Bob Shillinglaw, the longtime head lacrosse coach at Delaware.Don Pyle, who grew up north of Baltimore and played lacrosse at the University of Delaware, was an avid sports fan. In September 2013, when the Delaware football team traveled to Annapolis to play Navy, the Pyles hosted an event for alumni and school leaders, said Bob Shillinglaw, the longtime head lacrosse coach at Delaware.
“Just an unbelievable, gorgeous house,” said Shillinglaw, who described the Pyles as “very friendly people. Very genuine.”“Just an unbelievable, gorgeous house,” said Shillinglaw, who described the Pyles as “very friendly people. Very genuine.”
The couple met when they both worked at Rixon in 1981, said Nick Whelan, who had an engineering job at the Silver Spring tech company. Sandy worked in marketing, and Don was in sales.The couple met when they both worked at Rixon in 1981, said Nick Whelan, who had an engineering job at the Silver Spring tech company. Sandy worked in marketing, and Don was in sales.
In an interview with The Post in October, Don Pyle described Rixon as “a company that connected computers over transmission lines and that company was the foundation of companies that started designing equipment to connect computers together.” His work there became the foundation of his fortune and the foundation of his family.In an interview with The Post in October, Don Pyle described Rixon as “a company that connected computers over transmission lines and that company was the foundation of companies that started designing equipment to connect computers together.” His work there became the foundation of his fortune and the foundation of his family.
He and Sandy married about five years after they met, Whelan said, and Don became stepfather to Sandy’s two young sons, Clint and Randy Boone. Together, they had given the couple four grandchildren whom they treasured.He and Sandy married about five years after they met, Whelan said, and Don became stepfather to Sandy’s two young sons, Clint and Randy Boone. Together, they had given the couple four grandchildren whom they treasured.
Their friends were struggling Wednesday to absorb what had been lost in the fire.Their friends were struggling Wednesday to absorb what had been lost in the fire.
“All of us are numb. It’s just hard to talk about,” Shillinglaw said. “For someone as wealthy as [Don] was, he’s the most down-to-earth person I ever met. He treated everyone like long-lost buddies, like great friends.”“All of us are numb. It’s just hard to talk about,” Shillinglaw said. “For someone as wealthy as [Don] was, he’s the most down-to-earth person I ever met. He treated everyone like long-lost buddies, like great friends.”
Julie Zauzmer contributed to this report.Julie Zauzmer contributed to this report.