Special Report

WJZ Investigates The Fiery Death Of Buddy Downs

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Baltimore County homicide detectives are taking their first look at the smoldering mystery surrounding the death of a father in a house fire nearly six years ago.

Suspicion centers on the victim's wife.

As Mike Hellgren reports, her son's stunning admission about her involvement is adding fuel to their investigation.

Clarence Downs was a friendly bear of a man who grew up in Maryland, worked in Baltimore City's Forestry Division, ran a deli and loved his kids.
Close friends called him "Buddy."

"He was a great guy," said daughter Belinda Dryden.

Everything changed Christmas Day 2002.

Intense flames ravaged his big, wood-frame house in Baltimore County.  Downs was still inside.  Firefighters could not save him.  His stepson, Matthew Haarhoff, and his wife, Cynthia, escaped.

She later told investigators her husband was drinking and smoking a cigarette downstairs while she slept. She claimed there was no way to get to him.

The medical examiner ruled the death an accident.

WJZ obtained Downs' autopsy. It revealed a fractured skull and broken bones in both his forearms.

"Detectives weren't just going to turn and walk away," said Bill Toohey, Baltimore County Police spokesperson.

Downs' daughter, Belinda, wasn't either, making that clear in her last interview about the case in 2006.

She has since stopped talking publicly, fearing for her family's safety.

"The investigation into my father's death was ruled accidental too quickly, based on the words of Cynthia McKay," Belinda said.

"What she told me was that she killed him and put the house on fire, and if they want to move forward in the case and try to prosecute my mom, I will testify," said Matthew Haarhoff.

Matthew Haarhoff only now is making that stunning accusation to WJZ: that his mom murdered her husband.

"I've always been a prime witness.  I know she did.  She's told me as much," said Haarhoff.

The bold admission, in part, has now triggered homicide detectives taking over the case.

"It is being looked at very, very closely now by a second set of very experienced eyes," said Toohey.

The other trigger was the sordid past of Downs' wife, also known by her maiden name, Cynthia McKay. She was just sentenced to prison for murdering one of her more recent lovers, Anthony Fertitta, and setting his body on fire.

Matthew pleaded guilty to helping her cover it up.

"I would describe her as the most diabolical woman our county has ever seen," said Kathleen Rogers, Anne Arundel County prosecutor.

But did McKay have a motive to kill Buddy Downs?

Police records show she was the sole beneficiary of his $300,000 life insurance policy.

Just weeks after his death, she reunited with an ex-husband and bought a house on the Eastern Shore.

McKay was also on the run from the law.  While married to Downs, she stole thousands from a Baltimore seminary and knew police wanted to question her about that.

Determined to stay out of prison, McKay faked her own death in Ocean City and got plastic surgery.  In June 2003, police finally caught up with a very different looking woman.

"She touched down and caused destruction wherever she went," said Rogers.

"She just screws everybody else," said Haarhoff.

To this day, McKay denies any involvement in Downs' death.  Police say her son Matthew has made conflicting claims, including that he killed Downs himself.

"You just can't dismiss it. You have to follow up and see what's going on," said Toohey.

"I think further investigation will uncover the evidence necessary that will link Cindy and Matthew to my father's death," Belinda said.

Right now, Cynthia McKay is serving a 30-year prison sentence for the murder of Anthony Fertitta.

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