Homicide Suspected In Minnesota Farmhouse Fire That Killed 2

BALATON, Minn. (WCCO) -- Investigators suspect a long-time Lyon County couple who died in a house fire were intentionally killed.

Jim and Cathy Hively were found Thursday in their burned home. Three men have been arrested in connection with the fire. Firefighters were called to the southwestern Minnesota farmhouse early Thursday morning after a passerby saw the flames.

Amongst the ashes, fire investigators found the bodies of two beloved members of the tight-knit community. Hively farmed there for decades, according to Grace Life Church Associate Pastor Bernie Wing.

"They lived on that farm place all their life, raised their family there," he said.

Soon after the grim discovery, police arrested Derek Hexum and Theodore Como on suspicion of second-degree murder, arson and burglary. Kyle Wesslink faces arson, burglary and possession of stolen property charges.

"It just kind of adds pain and loss and suffering to their families, not only to the Hively families, but the parents and families of all these involved. It's adds tragedy upon tragedy," Wing said.

The Hively family sent a statement saying in part, "We want Jim and Cathy to be remembered for the loving, hard working farm couple they were. They were parents who loved, cared for, and served their family, friends, and neighbors. They modeled the love and service of Jesus in daily life."

People who knew the couple were saddened by the unexpected loss.

"They were thoughtful helpful people. They're good people. That sort of thing shouldn't happen in a small town," Jim Burns said.

"It's scary, very scary. That it's happened in such a small community and it's so close to my house," Nichole Holmes said.

Wing wants the town to heal, and to remember the way the Hively's dedicated their lives to the betterment of the community.

"It'd be so easy to get side-tracked and to be brought into anger and bitterness and focus on how they died, but we'd rather focus on and celebrate how they lived their life," Wing said.

Some of those things are: Serving a community Thanksgiving meal for 20-plus years and routinely baking for the police and fire departments and school staff.

Reverend Wing said Cathy would want people to forgive and says she would say: Persevere and pray.

Hexum, Como and Wesslink could be formally charged as soon as Monday.