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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 that an active suspicious death investigation is underway following a fire at 19 Orange Street in Nashua, New Hampshire, on July 21, 2026.
At approximately 3:26 a.m. on July 21, 2026, the Nashua Fire Department and Nashua Police Department responded to 19 Orange Street for a reported fire inside an apartment building. Upon arrival, eight of the nine residents were able to escape the building. One resident, Scott Thomas, 66, was removed from his apartment by first responders and transported to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, where he was later pronounced deceased. The ninth resident, an adult male, was later located deceased inside the upstairs apartment of Gerald Gutekunst, 80. The identity of the adult male found deceased inside the apartment remains pending official confirmation but is believed by investigators to be Mr. Gutekunst.
Autopsies on both males are currently underway by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Fire investigators and detectives remain at the scene collecting physical evidence and conducting interviews. Investigators are examining all available information as part of the ongoing investigation, including whether this incident may have involved suicide by fire in which the fire then spread to cause the murder of another.
Investigators are aware that Mr. Gutekunst was previously charged in connection with allegations of arson and threats of violence in Hudson in 2019. Following that incident, he was the subject of public court proceedings that included competency evaluations. The criminal charges stemming from that incident were ultimately dismissed after Mr. Gutekunst was found not competent to stand trial and not restorable to competency. Investigators are reviewing information from prior contacts involving Mr. Gutekunst and public safety agencies, as part of their effort to determine the circumstances leading up to the July 21, 2026, fire and the deaths of Mr. Thomas and the adult male inside Mr. Gutekunst’s apartment.
Investigators are asking anyone who has had recent contact with Mr. Gutekunst or who may have information relevant to this investigation to contact Nashua Police Detectives at (603) 594-3500.
Because this remains an active investigation, no further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the fire, the deaths, or the investigation will be released at this time.
