Iowa Cops Find Murdered Man in Burning House

Firefighters discovered Tim Paza's body in the master bedroom with disarmed smoke detectors nearby. The fire marshal concluded the candle found was not the source of the rapidly burning fire, which was most intense on Tim's side of the bed, suggesting an unnatural origin.

Fire Chief Milbour noted a candle on the floor, a smoke alarm on the floor with its battery removed, and another disarmed smoke alarm elsewhere. The fire marshal stated the candle was not the source, and the fire burned rapidly and intensely on Tim's side of the bed.

Barbara Paza displayed a lack of emotion upon learning of Tim's death and resisted an autopsy. The couple faced severe financial distress, including a pending foreclosure and credit card debt, while Barbara had recently increased Tim's life insurance policy.

Officer Moore observed Barbara's lack of emotion upon being told of Tim's death and her upset reaction to the mandatory autopsy. Police found documentation of nearing foreclosure, past-due credit card bills, and Barbara having 'maxed out' Tim's life insurance, increasing it to $200,000.

Tim and Barbara's marriage was deeply troubled, marked by frequent arguments and financial stress. Tim had confided in his son, Owen, about an imminent divorce, and Barbara had expressed hatred for Tim and a desire to 'get rid of someone' to a friend.

Owen Paza told police his father said a divorce was 'happening soon' the night before the fire. Barbara admitted to an investigator that their relationship was 'just kind of at a lull, just kind of hovering' and that they 'just kind of exist together.' Friend Sonia Carson recounted Barbara stating she 'hated Tim' and 'knew she could' get rid of someone.

The autopsy revealed Tim Paza was deceased before the fire, as there was no smoke inhalation in his lungs. Further toxicology tests identified elevated levels of Propofol, a powerful sedative Barbara had access to as a surgical nurse.

Chief Demery stated the medical examiner found no smoke inhalation in Tim's lungs, indicating he was dead before the fire. A more thorough lab test showed 'elevated levels of a drug named propofol,' which can cause respiratory arrest in large doses. Hospital staff confirmed Barbara's access to and responsibility for disposing of single-use Propofol vials.

Barbara's timeline of leaving the house was disproven by ATM footage, placing her near her home just minutes before the fire was reported. The quick onset of the fire after her departure further implicated her.

Barbara claimed she left around 7:00 a.m. ATM footage placed her at a Centerville bank, two minutes from her home, at 7:25 a.m. Less than 10 minutes later, at 7:33 a.m., a neighbor made the 911 call reporting the fire.