Man who died in fire accused of killing aunt

A man who died in a fire at an East Oakland apartment complex in March had killed his 77-year-old aunt at the same apartment the previous month, authorities said Friday.

Richard Fang, 56, died from extensive thermal burns in the fire at the apartment in the 1800 block of 34th Avenue at about 5 a.m. on March 1, Oakland police said.

His aunt, Susan Fong, who lived with Fang at the apartment, was found dead at the apartment on Feb. 7 after an apparent home invasion robbery at the apartment on Feb. 7, police said.

Alameda County District Attorney spokeswoman Teresa Drenick said today that after an extensive investigation by Oakland police and a thorough review by her office:

“It has been determined that the person responsible for the murder of Mrs. Fong is now deceased. …  We are certain we have identified the offender and he is no longer alive.”

Oakland police weren’t immediately available for comment on their investigation into the matter.