New York Airbnb Hosts Charged with Manslaughter After Mother and Daughter Killed in Fire

News footage of the house in Clinton, N.Y. that killed a mom and her baby in October 2024. Inset (left): Shannon and Margaret “Maggie” Hubbard (Dignity Memorial). Inset (top, left to right): Dennis Darcy and Meredith Darcy

A New York couple, Dennis and Meredith Darcy, have been charged with manslaughter following a fire at their Airbnb property that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her young daughter. The couple, aged 57 and 55, were arrested and face two counts of manslaughter in the second degree, a class C felony.

The incident occurred on October 14 in Clinton, New York, when John and Shannon Hubbard, visiting from Massachusetts, noticed smoke coming from inside the home they had rented with their two young children, aged 3 and 1. As the couple rushed inside to rescue their children, Shannon Hubbard and her 1-year-old daughter sustained fatal injuries.

An investigation revealed that the property lacked functional smoke detectors, violating New York State fire, building, and residential codes. Authorities determined that this absence created a significant risk of death. The Dutchess County district attorney stated that the homeowners deliberately ignored this risk, emphasizing that the tragedy could have been prevented with proper safety measures.

John and Shannon Hubbard were visiting the Town of Clinton from Cape Cod with their two children, Jack and Maggie when a fire broke their family apart

Fire investigators concluded that the fire originated in the chimney flue and was not intentionally set. The Darcys' attorney stated that the couple is devastated by the incident but disputes the manslaughter charges.

Their bail was set at $50,000 each, and they are scheduled to appear in court on April 7.