RIVERBANK—

It’s been nearly a week since Scott and Janet Pettit were found dead in their north Modesto home.

Today, hundreds came out to the city of Riverbank to remember the slain couple. Scott Pettit taught karate in the community for nearly ten years.

“I don’t know what to say, I don’t know why this happened to him,” said Erika Cornejo. Three of her children attended Pettit’s karate school.

Balloons, pictures and letters were left outside of Riverbank Black Belt Academy. Erika Cornejo left behind a note plastered on the karate academy’s window. She’s still unsure how to tell her kids Mr. Pettit was killed.

“I will eventually, not sure how they’re going to take it. They were here for over a year and he was a great man,” said Cornejo.

Scott’s wife Janet Pettit was a neonatal nurse practitioner and clinical nurse. The couple was known for helping the community.

On August 8, neighbors say they heard a scream and saw flames coming from the couple’s home along Divan Court. Firefighters thought it was a routine fire – until they discovered Scott, Janet and their dogs dead.

Their deaths were later ruled a homicide, the fire a cover-up for the crime.

“I think the bastards need to be caught, whoever did this,” said Laurie Loeppky. Her son also attended Scott Pettit’s karate academy.

Family, friends and the community are in shock as Modesto Police try to narrow-in on a killer.