The tragic deaths of Rhonda Spencer, 65, and her husband Timothy Fordham, 59, in the early hours of May 7 have been officially ruled as a murder-suicide by authorities. The heartbreaking incident unfolded in their Miami Gardens residence, located near Northwest 185 Terrace and 20th Avenue, close to the Hard Rock Stadium.
The home was left in ruins after a fierce blaze erupted shortly before 3:30 a.m. Reports indicate a powerful explosion preceded the fire. Inside the house was Tamonjamin Williams, the couple's nephew, who astonishingly survived the ordeal.
"The bedroom ceiling was on top of me. I started calling for them... I couldn't get out through the door... God opened the door, and then I got out," Williams recounted. "The security door was off the house. It was hanging," he clarified.
During a vigil held by the family the following Wednesday, Jamie Spencer, Rhonda's sister, expressed profound grief and disbelief. "The thought of losing them in the middle of the night, unexpectedly, in such a horrific way," she said.
Initially, a gas explosion was suspected; however, Florida City Gas dismissed this theory, confirming that the house was not connected to natural gas services and there were no reported leaks in the area. Authorities concluded that the fire was deliberately set as part of a violent act.
Community Mourning and Unanswered Questions
The family is still seeking answers. Jamie stated there were no prior signs of conflict between the couple. "It's terrible not knowing if she was going through something like this. Maybe I could have been one of those people who would have helped," she lamented.
At the vigil, the family also defended their surviving nephew: "Clarifying any false rumors, any speculation, that our nephew was involved," they asserted.
Both the Spencer and Fordham families were well-regarded in their community. Rhonda was a supervisor at the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department and was active in her church. "She was a great person, a Christian woman, hardworking and very loved," her sister remembered.
The ongoing investigation is led by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance. "Detectives are asking anyone with information about this or other cases to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 to remain anonymous."
FAQs on Miami Gardens Fire Incident
What caused the Miami Gardens house fire?
Authorities have determined that the fire was intentionally set as part of a violent act, ruling out a gas explosion.
Who survived the fire in Miami Gardens?
Tamonjamin Williams, the nephew of Rhonda Spencer and Timothy Fordham, survived the fire.
How can the public assist in the investigation?
Anyone with information is urged to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477, ensuring anonymity.