Woman suspect in ex-MLB star Darryl Hamilton's death had previous arson charge

The 11500 block of Island Breeze Street where former MLB player Darryl Hamilton was found dead Sunday, June 21, 2015 following an apparent murder suicide. Photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015 in Pearland. (Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle) less The 11500 block of Island Breeze Street where former MLB player Darryl Hamilton was found dead Sunday, June 21, 2015 following an apparent murder suicide. Photo taken Monday, June 22, 2015 in Pearland. (Mayra ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran | Houston Chronicle Photo: Mayra Beltran | Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Woman suspect in ex-MLB star Darryl Hamilton's death had previous arson charge 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

The woman who authorities believe shot and killed former Major League Baseball player and MLB Network analyst Darryl Hamilton, and then herself, at her Pearland home pleaded guilty to arson in 2008 in a case where she believed her then-husband was cheating on her, officials said.

The bodies of Hamilton, 50, and Monica Jordan, 44, were found about 4:45 p.m. Sunday inside the house in the 11500 block of Island Breeze, according to the Pearland Police Department. Police have not released a motive for the shootings.

Police said officers were sent to the home on an emergency call about a disturbance. When they arrived, they found the body of Hamilton near the front entry way. The body of Jordan was found in another part of the home.

Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne said Jordan – then Monica Jordan Richards – had pleaded guilty to felony arson in 2008 after burning down a Brazoria County house and garage where Jordan had been living with her now ex-husband.

Yenne said records indicated the dispute had begun over allegations of infidelity on her husband's part. Initial reports also indicated Jordan had chased him around the house, trying to throw gasoline on him. He was not injured, Yenne said.

"The circumstances were severe, the circumstances were very severe," Yenne said. "I have spoken to my staff every now and then, when we're talking about an arson, I would talk about this case."

Her ex-husband could not be reached at a number listed under his name.

The Colorado Rockies are saddened by the passing of Darryl Hamilton. Darryl played for the Rockies from 1998-1999. pic.twitter.com/Lgf18ehdJc — #VoteRox (@Rockies) June 22, 2015

RELATED: Baseball world reacts to Darryl Hamilton's death

According to the Brazoria County Appraisal District, the home on Island Breeze was owned by Jordan.

Investigators said it appeared Hamilton had been shot more than once and Jordan died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police said the couple's 13-month-old boy was also found unharmed in the home. The boy was turned over to the state's Child Protective Services.

Hamilton was born in Baton Rouge, La., and played in college at Nicholls State before being drafted by the Brewers in 1986.

As an MLB player, Hamilton batted .291 with 1,333 hits, 707 runs scored and 454 RBI in his career. Known as a terrific defensive outfielder, Hamilton committed only 14 errors out of 2,770 defensive chances in his career for a .995 fielding percentage.

Hamilton was part of four playoff teams, including the 2000 National League Champion New York Mets. Hamilton spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1988-1995) before joining the Texas Rangers (1996), San Francisco Giants (1997-1998), Colorado Rockies (1998-1999) and Mets (1999-2001).

He joined the MLB Network as an analyst in 2013.

"We mourn the passing of our friend and colleague, Darryl Hamilton," the network said on Twitter.

We mourn the passing of our friend and colleague, Darryl Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/GXcTDgkhi9 — MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 22, 2015

Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred also released a statement Monday, saying:

"All of us at Major League Baseball are shocked and saddened by this tragedy. Darryl followed a successful 13-year career on the field by assembling a multifaceted career in our game, working for MLB Advanced Media and in our Baseball Operations Department before moving on to MLB Network. He was a talented and personable individual, and we were proud to call him a member of the Baseball Family. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathies to Darryl's family and his many friends throughout our game."

Hamilton had lived in Houston for several years and previously worked with KPRC (Channel 2), KFNC (97.5 FM) and KGOW (1560 AM). He also worked for three years in MLB's on-field operations division.

In 2013, Hamilton told the Houston Chronicle's David Barron that broadcasting had been his second choice post-retirement.

"I thought the networks were looking for Hall of Famers on that level, and I wasn't a Hall of Famer," he said. "But they convinced me to think about it. I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity, and doing things on local TV and radio prepared me to do this."

Hamilton avidly tweeted about baseball. In one of his last tweets he posted a photo of himself at a Houston Astros game with his children.

His final tweet was sent 5:29 p.m. Saturday, to congratulate Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer for throwing a no-hitter earlier in the day against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Sunday, a photo of Hamilton and two of his sons from a previous marriage was posted to his Facebook page.

Along the desolate street sits the beige brick exterior, two-story building where police say the incident occurred. Several similar houses are on either side, most of which are empty at noon Monday.

Neighbors say the street is quiet, with little interaction between neighbors other than a passing greeting.

We mourn the passing of former Rangers outfielder, Darryl Hamilton. Darryl played for the Rangers in 1996. pic.twitter.com/VT6ioLxV4t — Texas Rangers (@Rangers) June 22, 2015

Christopher Yarde, 40, had been living next door to the house almost nine years. He was here on Sunday afternoon but heard or saw nothing until he saw the police sirens.

He had only interacted with Jordan on a few occasions and seen Hamilton even less. Sometimes kids would be playing outside on the lawn, he said.

Jordan was friendly, he said.

He said he was surprised to hear of the incident in an otherwise "quiet neighborhood."

"Really it's just shock," Yarde said.

Houston Chronicle reporters Katherine Driessen, Mihir Zaveri and Craig Hlavaty contributed to this report.