Search warrant released in ‘House of Horrors’ investigation

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There are new and disturbing details in an investigation about a Wilkes-Barre home that police describe as a “House of Horrors.”

The body of a woman was found buried in the basement in February. A month later, the body of the longtime owner of the home was found in a wooded area several miles away.

The I-Team obtained copies of search warrants that up until this week were sealed by the court.

They describe graphic details of alleged torture and murder in this house and 28/22 News now knows that the police investigation was launched when an eight-year-old child spoke up.

Police converged on 142 Carlisle Street in late February after receiving a tip that a woman was murdered inside the house and her remains were buried in the basement.

Investigators found the remains of 38-year-old Nicole Cuevas.

They say she was handcuffed to a basement post, severely beaten, and tortured over a period of several weeks in April of 2023.

Five people were charged in connection with her murder, including Desiree Linnette, her daughter, Sarai Doyle, Jason Race, Faith Beamer, and William Wolfe.

According to a search warrant, an eight-year-old child who was living in the house told a counselor that she witnessed the torture and murder of Cuevas.

“This beating and homicide was witnessed by the eight-year-old child who then told Desiree Linnette about the murder. The child also told Linnette that Race and Beamer warned the child that if she told anyone they would do the same thing to her and Linnette,” the search warrant explained.

Police say Linnette had originally told police she was not in the house at the time of the murder, but according to these search warrants. Detectives determined she was lying and was involved in the torture and murder of Cuevas.

District attorney Sam Sangedolce says without a doubt the child’s information that was given to detectives was key in leading police to the house.

“They took it very seriously and they were able to ascertain adult witnesses that led to the search warrants that led to the recovery of Nicole Cuevas,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.

The investigation is ongoing into the death of 69-year-old Debra Fox, the longtime owner of the Carlisle Street house. Her body was found in March in a wooded area near the North Cross Valley Expressway. Her daughter Danielle says she’s struggling with all of this.

“It’s hard. I have to go through counseling and everything. It’s so hard getting therapy at the time. She’s helping me out,” Danielle said.

No one has been charged in connection with the death of Debra Fox.

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