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Wappinger victims identified, further charges brought

Published: 2/3/2025

For More Information Contact:

Captain John Watterson, 845-486-3860

As a follow-up to the previous information released about the house fire at 78 Marlorville Rd in Wappinger on 1/26/25, the Sheriff’s Office reports the identification of the victims as well as further charges against Mr. Buda.

The victims have been identified as Paul and Jo-Ann Hait, ages 63 and 65 respectively. After further investigation Mr. Buda has been charged in connection with their deaths, and is accused of killing Mr. and Mrs. Hait and their dog before setting their house on fire. The victims were known to Mr. Buda, and no further details about the investigation will be released in order to protect the integrity of ongoing court proceedings.

On 1/31/25 Mr. Buda was again arrested by Sheriff’s Office Detectives and has been further charged with Murder 1st degree, Murder 2nd degree (2 counts), and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. Additionally the original Arson 2nd degree charge has been upgraded to Arson 1st degree. Mr. Buda was arraigned before the Town of Wappinger Court and has been remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center with no bail.

Anyone who may have information on this case or may have been in the Marlorville Rd area during the evening of 1/26/25 is urged to contact Detective Griffin at 845-486-3809 or jgriffin@dutchessny.gov. Information can also be provided through the Sheriff’s Office’s tipline at 845-486-CLUE (2583) or dcsotips@gmail.com, and all information will be kept confidential.

The Sheriff’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response, the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Division, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit,  the Arlington Fire Department Special Operations Unit, and the Hughsonville Fire Department.