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San Francisco home explosion suspect arrested on suspicion of murder

The San Francisco Fire Department spray water into the home that collapsed possibly as a result of an explosion and subsequent fire. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard
The San Francisco Fire Department spray water into the home that collapsed after an explosion and subsequent fire. | Michaela Vatcheva for The Standard

The Outer Sunset man who allegedly destroyed his home and killed his wife in an explosion caused by illicit drug production has been arrested again on suspicion of murder after being out of custody on bail since he was first charged in February. 

Darron Price was charged with involuntary manslaughter in February in connection with an explosion that authorities say was caused by an illegal hash oil operation.

“The way that the government has chosen to proceed is confusing and nonsensical,” Price’s attorney Sierra Villaran said in court Friday about the arrest and new charges filed against her client for the same incident. Instead of communicating with her to have her client come to court, he was instead arrested yesterday in Marin County.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Perkins declined to comment after court regarding the new allegations.

Price, 54, already faced charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and elder abuse, as well as four counts of reckless burning and two of child endangerment.

The explosion completely collapsed the 22nd Avenue home and started a fire that spread to neighboring buildings. One person was found dead in the rubble after the fire was extinguished, while another was seriously burned.

San Francisco firefighter work to put out the fire after an explosion on 22nd Avenue in San Francisco's Sunset District on Feb. 9, 2023. | Courtesy San Francisco Firefighters 798

The suspect’s wife, 51-year-old Rita Price, had suffered from a stroke eight years ago and required assistance from a home health care worker.

When released on bail, Australian citizen Price was subject to search, had to hand over his passport and was ordered to stay away from the incident location. Price was allowed “peaceful contact” with his two teenage kids.

Price, who has yet to be officially charged with the new allegation, is expected to appear at his arraignment on June 26.

Jonah Owen Lamb can be reached at jonah@sfstandard.com