Citrus Heights home with problematic past goes on market for $275k

By Mike Hazlip—
A Citrus Heights home that was severely damaged in a suspicious blaze is now on the market, more than two years after the homeowner was accused of setting fire to her own home.

The house at 7765 Locher Wy., located near Sunrise Boulevard and Highland Avenue, was heavily damaged in an Aug. 3, 2021, fire that led to the arrest of homeowner Justina Daggett on arson charges. She later plead “no contest” to the charges and was ordered to serve 60 days in jail and a year of probation.

Now, real estate records show the home is on the market for $275,000. Comparable-sized homes in good condition have sold in recent months for $450,000 to $500,000, according to data posted on the real estate website Trulia.

Photographs posted with the listing show extensive fire damage throughout the interior of the 1,472-square-foot home. The home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to the listing.

Sacramento Superior Court public records show the City of Citrus Heights is listed as the petitioner in a series of motions dating back to Aug. 3, 2023. The records detail 55 code violations, requesting the court grant a receiver to take over the property. A receiver was appointed on March 5, 2024, records show.

Written testimony from a code enforcement officer submitted to the court says Daggett’s father, William Barklage, died on Aug. 24, 2020, and that Daggett was the occupant of the property. The testimony describes Daggett as “combative” and refusing offers of assistance from the city and homeless assistance providers.

“The City has used all reasonable efforts to gain voluntary compliance, but the dangerous conditions remain unabated, and the Subject Property remains red-tagged and is unsafe for occupancy,” the document says. “Given these facts, it is clear it will remain substandard and in violation of law until a receiver is appointed.”

An Aug. 3, 2021, report by The Sentinel says Metro Fire identified Daggett as the “homeowner and suspect.” She was charged with “arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn,” as well as having “intent to willfully and maliciously” use a flammable substance “to set fire to or burn any structure.”

A report by The Davis Vanguard says Daggett set fire to her home after an argument with William Luna. The Sentinel previously reported Luna was in a relationship with Daggett, and he was inside the residence at the time of the fire.

Sacramento County District Attorney spokeswoman Shelly Orio told The Sentinel that Daggett was initially charged with “arson that causes an inhabited structure or inhabited property to burn,” as well as having “intent to willfully and maliciously” use a flammable substance to set fire to or burn any structure.

Daggett was seen living in a damaged and inoperable vehicle parked in the property’s driveway in August 2022. The city had the vehicle towed on April 6, 2023, citing a “lack of voluntary compliance and ongoing violations,” court records show.

Court documents say the insurance company would not pay for any damages, citing the arson charges. Daggett is the only next of kin listed on Barklage’s death certificate filed with the court documents.

Photos and additional information about the property can be found online at Trulia.com. The listing describes the home as a “major fixer” with the opportunity to remodel or rebuild.