Trio of Arrests, Including Two NYC Men, Made in 6 Year Old Maine Arson and Murder Case

The Maine State Police announced Wednesday that they have made three arrests in relation to an arson, robbery, and homicide case that dates back to October 2017.

On the morning of Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, authorities responded to a structure fire in Whitneyville, Maine.

After the fire was under control, authorities discovered the body of the homeowner, 48-year-old fisherman Wayne Foss.

The autopsy report confirmed that the manner of Foss’ death was homicide, according to a press release from the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Foss’ daughter told the Bangor Daily News in May that her father was involved in Washington County’s illegal drug trade and voiced her frustration that his murder had remained unsolved.

“My dad was always part of the drug scene,” Foss’ daughter Brittany Look told BDN. “It was a demon he fought for a long time. He was a good person, but had a really bad habit, and it got the best of him.”

“I’ve always known there’s been a major drug problem in Washington County, but I never thought it would get to the point of people being killed,” Look said. “To have it happen to my family is just insane.”

“Despite an extensive investigation, the case remained unsolved. Like all unsolved homicide cases, it remained an active investigation and detectives vigorously pursued every lead in the case over the next six years,” the Department of Public Safety press release reads. “Last week that diligence culminated with three people being indicted by a Washington County Grand Jury.”

On Thursday, Sept. 21, Major Crimes Unit North detectives, working alongside the Maine State Police Tactical Team, the Yarmouth Police Department, and Saco Police Department arrested 33-year-old Justin Matthews on a warrant for murder, felony murder, arson, and robbery.

At approximately 5 a.m. Wednesday, authorities arrested 27-year-old Leanza Boney at an apartment in Staten Island, New York City.

Boney was taken to a police station in Queens and is awaiting extradition to Maine where he is expected to be charged with murder, felony murder, arson, and robbery.

The third suspect, Basilio Liranzo, 27, also of NYC, is currently in the Maine State Prison on unrelated charges, and will be charged with felony murder, arson, and robbery.

“These three arrests serve as a reminder of the Maine State Police’s tireless commitment to solving crimes and seeking justice for victims and their families,” the Maine Department of Public Safety said.