WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A murder-suicide that resulted in the deaths of two individuals in early May has taken a tragic turn as new details have surfaced about the relationship between the two. Authorities report that the woman involved had separated from the man prior to the unsettling event.
Michelle Whiting, 45, lost her life in the blaze that consumed a home in Sewell, and her friend, Tammy Ventura, claims that Whiting was misled into visiting the property. According to Ventura, Whiting accepted an invitation from Daniel Steele, 59, who had promised to give her a car. “He lured her there under false pretenses,” Ventura stated, adding that the reunion was not reflective of any active relationship.
The events unfolded on May 10, when Whiting allegedly went to Steele’s residence to pick up a Lexus he promised her. The following day, emergency responders arrived to extinguish a fire at the house, only to discover the burned-out car among the debris. Investigators determined that an accelerant was used to ignite the flames, which were exacerbated by tampering with natural gas lines.
Upon extinguishing the fire, investigators found Whiting’s body in a bedroom, where a gunshot wound to her head had been identified as the cause of death. The fire that followed was ruled an auxiliary event, with authorities concluding her death was a homicide. Steele’s body was later located in the living room, alongside a handgun, leading investigators to classify his death as a suicide.
Ventura shared that Whiting had finalized her separation from Steele, citing a history of abuse that justified a restraining order against him. This order expired just two months prior, allowing Steele access until that time. “They had not been together for over a year,” Ventura emphasized, indicating Steele’s obsessive behavior despite their dissolution.
Describing Whiting as a devoted mother of three, Ventura recounted fond memories of her friend. Just days before her death, Whiting was captured on video joyfully dancing in her kitchen, a stark contrast to the tragedy that would soon follow. Whiting’s children are now faced with the loss of their mother as her middle child prepares for high school graduation.
In response to the loss, Ventura has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aimed at supporting Whiting’s children as they navigate this painful chapter. “Their mother was everything to them,” she reflected. “It’s devastating to see the impact of this loss. I’m heartbroken, but I strive to support them through these unimaginable challenges.”
The investigation remains ongoing as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, highlighting the importance of addressing domestic abuse and supporting affected families.
