The Scrocca family had almost lost all hope for answers regarding the death of their eldest son in a house fire last year on Princeton Avenue – almost.

Then, just days before the one-year anniversary of the death of university senior Michael Scrocca, the family received a phone call from police saying they might be close to finding a suspect in the arson case.

Everyone was optimistic, but remained cautious.

Scrocca’s brother, Brian, told his mother, “I’m not holding my breath, Mom.”

But with yesterday’s news that police arrested and charged junior cell biology and molecular genetics major Daniel Carlisle Murray with first-degree murder and first-degree arson, the Scrocca family has a renewed hope that justice might be served and the questions lingering in their minds for a year may be answered.

The news is met with mixed emotions. Scrocca’s mother, Mary, said there’s some relief to know someone has been charged, but the painful emotions from last year have resurfaced once again. Tony Scrocca, Michael’s father, is not only livid thinking someone is responsible for the murder but also disappointed no one came forward sooner.

“It’s a big relief, but it’s like opening up a wound again,” Tony said last night. “I’m angry at this boy. … I feel sorry for his family; they’re going to go through hell.”

Police received a tip last week from someone Tony called a brave soul that led to the arrest. They had never heard Murray’s name before, and were surprised to hear Murray was a first-year student when Scrocca was killed; they thought it would be someone closer to Scrocca’s age.

The Scroccas remain close to Michael’s friends, with whom they had formed friendships in the past. For months, the family had waited for the private investigator they hired to find leads. They pleaded with the public to come forward with any tips for investigators; Tony made two four-hour drives from their home in Branchburg, N.J., to the university to pass out reward fliers at big sports games.

Police detectives had said they exhausted all leads in the case, and it was up to the public to keep it going. At many times, it seemed almost impossible someone new would bring anything forward, the Scroccas said.

Since Michael’s April 30 death last year, the Scroccas said many scenarios entered their minds about how someone had set the fire. That Friday night, there was a party with about 100 students at the house. The fire started when someone poured gasoline around the house with a red plastic cup, according to police reports.

The Scroccas said they thought – even hoped – someone had accidentally set the fire so they wouldn’t have to deal with the idea of someone wanting their son to die.

“Although I was hoping the fire was an accident, as time went on, I don’t think I ever really believed it,” said Mary. “There was no other way for the gasoline to get on to the porch.”

As it turns out, Murray was not at the party and allegedly got into an argument with someone at the house that night, said a source close to the investigation who requested not to be named because the investigation is ongoing. Police think the suspect allegedly came back later to set the fire that broke out at 4 a.m., the source said.

But even with the news of the arrest, the Scroccas still don’t have all the answers and hope more details about the night will come forward.

“I don’t know how someone can do this and how they can keep it quiet for a year,” Mary said.

“If anyone has any information who was near the house at a certain point, now is the time to do the right thing,” Tony said. “For kids who were at the party, they’re not in any trouble. We would like to know words which were exchanged. They’re not in any trouble. We’d just like to know why.”

Tony said it’s eerie police have charged someone around the one-year anniversary of the crime, which they spent with 50 family members and friends.

“It’s almost like Mike felt the pain that we were going through,” he said. “Maybe you’re given so many chances up there to truly help someone, and this was Mike using one of them.”

Contact reporter Laurie Au at lauriedbk@gmail.com.