Autopsy Results Regarding Suicide-Murder Arson in Nashua on July 21, 2026

Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, Nashua Police Chief Kevin Rourke, and Nashua Fire Chief Steve M. Buxton announce autopsy results following the deaths of Scott Thomas, 66, and Gerald Gutekunst, 80, following a fire at 19 Orange Street in Nashua, New Hampshire, on July 21, 2026.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted autopsies on both Thomas and Gutekunst on the afternoon of July 21, 2026. The autopsy of Gerald Gutekunst found that his cause of death was smoke inhalation, and that the manner of death was suicide. The autopsy of Scott Thomas found that his cause of death was smoke inhalation, and the manner of death was homicide. As used by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the term homicide is defined as the killing of one person by another.

While the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire is still pending, information available at this time does enable law enforcement investigators to make some preliminary conclusions. Based upon the information known to investigators, it appears that shortly after 3:03 A.M. on July 21, 2026, Mr. Gutekunst locked the door to his own apartment and ignited a fire inside the apartment. He did not try to escape. Investigators have reviewed communication sent by Mr. Gutekunst at the time of the fire indicating his intent to commit self-harm, and fire patterns inside the apartment indicate the fire was set intentionally. The fire spread beyond Mr. Gutekunst's apartment to the rest of the building, causing Mr. Thomas to inhale the smoke from this fire, which caused his death. There is no indication at this time that Mr. Gutekunst specifically intended to harm Mr. Thomas by his act.

Given these facts, the Attorney General has preliminarily concluded that Gerald Gutekunst intentionally committed an act of arson inside his apartment in an act of self-harm, and that this act recklessly caused the death of Scott Thomas under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life. Because Mr. Gutekunst did not survive, criminal charges may not be brought for Gutekunst causing Scott Thomas' death.

Fire Marshal Toomey would like to remind our citizens that this event highlights how arson is not a victimless crime, and that any intentionally set fire puts in motion a series of events that significantly jeopardizes the safety of both the public and our First Responders. Nationwide, every year, intentionally set fires cause over 400 deaths, 1,300 injuries, and $1.3 billion dollars in direct property damage.

Finally, all citizens in crisis are reminded that they can call, text or chat with trained crisis counselors any time, any day, by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

No further information is expected to be released at this time.