Former Patrolman Sues Airbnb, Homeowners Over Fatal Fire That Killed His Wife and Left Him Haunted by Her Screams

John Hubbard IV, 40, a former patrolman, says he will never be able to recover from hearing his wife through a trapped door while their lives ended in flames and smoke, according to the lawsuit reviewed by The Independent. The couple's 3-year-old son Jack survived the October 13, 2024 inferno at the rental home in Salt Point, a town in Dutchess County, but the filing contends his own young personality and love for life will be forever changed. The lawsuit names Airbnb and hosts Dennis and Meredith Darcy as defendants.

The Darcys were arrested and accused of manslaughter after investigators found the property lacked required permits and functional smoke detectors. The complaint alleges the couple falsely advertised the rental as equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors but never installed them to save a buck, blaming their inattentiveness, hastiness, deceptiveness and willingness to prioritize short-cuts over the safety of the occupants.