Arson suspected in deadly Lakewood apartment fire that killed a mother, 10-year-old child

Jazmine Payton Aguayo and her mother, Kathleen "Katie" Payton were inseparable according to relatives. Payton was a stay-at-home mom to Jazmine, who had just started fifth grade. Both were killed in an fire at the Tiffany Square Apartments, 953 Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood, Oct. 31.
COURTESY OF ROCHELLE VALDEZ
Lakewood police strongly suspect arson caused a Lakewood apartment fire that killed a mother and her 10-year-old child early Monday.
Investigators issued warrants for two juveniles whom they believe are responsible. The warrants allege 1st Degree Murder and 1st Degree Arson, according to a Lakewood Police press release.
The mother and child died in the early morning inferno at the Tiffany Square Apartments, 953 Sheridan Boulevard, because the flames which engulfed the building moved so quickly and burned so hot.
Kathleen “Katie” Payton, 31, and her daughter, 10-year-old Jazmine Payton Aguayo, were on the phone with 911 in their bathtub and had surrounded themselves with blankets when the floor collapsed, according to relatives.
“When you’re in a state of panic, what do you do?” said Rochelle Vigil Valdez, Payton’s aunt and Jazmine’s great aunt. “It’s 4:15 in the morning. Jazmine was probably sound asleep for school, was awakened and probably not able to process what was going on.”
Lakewood police and West Metro Fire Protection District’s investigation turned criminal when the bodies of Payton and Aguayo were found Monday. The fire destroyed half of Tiffany Square Apartment’s 32 units and displaced every resident. Ten people were injured, seven of whom were treated and released. One West Metro firefighter suffered smoke inhalation.
The names of the juveniles will not be released at this time, according to Lakewood police.
Valdez said that the fire started somewhere underneath Payton’s apartment and that her next door neighbor jumped out of a window with her child and survived.
“Katie was always helping her neighbor giving her diapers when she needed them,” Valdez told The Denver Gazette. “Jazmine had just started 5th grade. She just the sweetest little girl. She was into unicorns. She had so many toys it was ridiculous,”
Valdez said she spoke with witnesses who said that before the fire broke out, they heard someone scream “He’s going to kill me!” and then saw a figure running from the building.
Lakewood Police spokesperson John Romero would not confirm nor deny the account, but said there will be more information released Tuesday afternoon. There have been no arrests made in connection to the fire.
Michelle Stepflug is grieving and angry about the fact her cousin Katie didn’t seem to have a chance.
“Everybody is saying that there were no fire alarms there,” she said. “Now we have to make arrangements for one funeral with two people.”
Investigators removed surveillance footage from the back walls of a strip mall next door to the two-story, charred apartment complex. Crime scene tape marked off the area, where people’s belongings were sitting on the lawns Monday morning.
Displaced residents were offered services from the American Red Cross.






