Season 4: Episode 1: Innocence Lost in Flames - Murder of MacKenzie Branham

On April 27, 2006, nine-year-old MacKenzie Branham was caught in a house fire at the home of her mother and her mother's boyfriend. At first glance, it appeared the fire was the result of an accidental spark, possibly electrical or something of that nature, but it would quickly change to something dark and heinous. The fire was set with an accelerant which appeared to lead a path directly to MacKenzie's room. By the time firefighters were able to control the fire it was too late. MacKenzie was found in her bed next to the window. She could not escape the smoke and flames and fell victim to the act of a sick human being. Why would anyone want to set fire to a house with a beautiful nine-year-old sleeping in her bed? Why did the adults make it out and she did not? Arson is a unique crime. Those that commit arson only do it for specific reasons and one of those is crime concealment. What was someone trying to hide? For 18 years MacKenzie's father, Donald has been pushing the envelope to find answers to the murder of his daughter. He has lived her loss every day for all of this time. He has long gone past just trying to find out, he has gone to the point where revenge is not out of the question. Why would anyone want to take his beautiful daughter like this? What was going on that she was possibly ready to expose? Why did innocence get lost in the flames?

Contact Info: Fayette County, OH Sheriff's office 1500 Robinson Road SE Washington Court House, OH 43160 Phone: 740-335-6170 Fax: 740-333-3597

Cold Case MHS - coldcase@masonohioschools.com

513-398-5025 ext. 33304 or 513-967-0368

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