The man accused of setting fire to a home in Altoona last month killing a 3-year-old boy is dead. Blair County Prison officials said it appears Aaron Dishong committed suicide in his cell early Friday morning.

6 News talked with the young boy's family on the phone after they heard of Dishong's death. They said his apparent suicide is certainly not the justice they were hoping for but they are glad he is no longer around. In the meantime, Dishong's family is also speaking out saying they're suffering their own tragedy.

"We're happy that he's gone, but disappointed he took the easy way out," said Brandy Etchison, the mother of 3-year-old Darrel.

She said she knows there's nothing anyone can do to bring back her son but she's thankful they'll never have to see Dishong again.

"A lot of weight has been lifted off our shoulders because we won't have to go through a trial," said Etchison.

But the Etchison's are not the only one's still grieving after Dishong's death. Dishong's own family reached out to 6 News on Friday to talk about their loss.

"He was accused of this, he was not sentenced and found guilty of this," said Dishong's sister Juanita Dishong through tears.

She said her brother was not the monster he's being portrayed as.

"Aaron was not an animal, he was a caring, loving, giving person," said Juanita. "There was never a time when I needed him that he didn't come."

Dishong's family said their hearts go out to the Etchisons on their tragic loss but they want people to know they're hurting too.

"It angers me that (people say) the only tragedy here after my brother died is the loss of the little boy," said Juanita. "I send my condences to that family but it's also a tragedy to us that we lost our brother."

Dishong's case has now come to an end. His death at the Blair County Prison Friday morning is still under investigation.