Executive Summary
- High Bail Set: A judge set bail at $5 million for Anthony Michael Rae Srey in connection with a homicide and arson investigation.
- Fatal Injuries: The victim, Bradley Sanders, suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest and neck before the fire.
- Surveillance Evidence: Court documents state cameras recorded the suspect leaving the home as smoke alarms sounded.
- Arson Finding: Fire investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set and classified it as incendiary.
A King County Superior Court judge set bail at $5 million on Friday for a 32-year-old Des Moines man accused of second-degree murder and first-degree arson in connection with a fatal residential fire earlier this month. The judge found probable cause to hold Anthony Michael Rae Srey following the discovery of a deceased man inside a burning home on Feb. 1.
During the first appearance hearing, the court set the bail amount at the request of prosecutors. Srey is currently being held on a total bail of $5,020,000, which includes the $5 million for the homicide and arson investigation and $20,000 related to a separate Superior Court case. According to court documents, the defendant was on electronic home monitoring for that separate case at the time of the fire.
The investigation began when Des Moines police officers responded to a structure fire in the 1400 block of South 216th Street on Feb. 1, 2026. Fire personnel located the body of 45-year-old Bradley Sanders inside the residence. An autopsy conducted by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Sanders had been stabbed three times. The report detailed that a wound to the chest pierced the right lung, heart, and left lung, while a wound to the neck severed the jugular vein; both injuries were deemed fatal.
Investigators noted in the probable cause statement that surveillance footage from Ring cameras at the residence showed Srey leaving the premises as smoke alarms sounded and smoke became visible. Court filings state that police recovered multiple knives from the scene, including one found near the victim’s body and another in a bedroom. Fire investigators have classified the fire as incendiary, concluding it was intentionally set.
Procedural Next Steps
While the court has found probable cause to detain the suspect, a first appearance hearing is distinct from a formal felony charging decision, which requires a higher burden of proof. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office stated they anticipate receiving a formal case referral from investigators by Feb. 18 to proceed with charging decisions. The high bail reflects the gravity of the combined homicide and arson allegations. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
