Topline: A New York City woman faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly setting a fire that killed her ex-boyfriend and his friend, trapping them in a Queens garage.
Published: December 2, 2024 12:02 pm ET
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A New York City woman is in custody for allegedly starting a “raging inferno” that trapped and killed her ex-boyfriend and a female friend who attempted to rescue him inside a garage in November, prosecutors say.
Thirty-five-year-old Edward Jacobs, a father of three who leaves behind 11-year-old twin boys and a nine-year-old son, was asleep on the second floor of a two-story garage when his ex-girlfriend, 43-year-old Aliya Fakhri, allegedly set a deliberate fire near the garage entrance on November 2, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Jacobs’ mother, Janet, told the New York Post that her son had broken up with Fakhri about a year ago, but she had continued to try to reconcile with him.
“Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know like ‘Yo, I’m done with you. Get away from me,’” Janet said. “He’s been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn’t accepting the rejection. They broke up a year ago.”
At the time of the fire, Jacobs was reportedly working on a construction project in Queens to convert a garage into an apartment. His friend, 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne, was also at the residence, with their relationship described as platonic, according to Jacobs’ mother.
Prosecutors say that Fakhri arrived at the property around 6:20 a.m. on November 2 and shouted from outside, “You’re all going to die today,” before setting the garage ablaze.
“A witness who was inside the [adjacent] property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire,” according to prosecutors. “Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape.”
An investigation by the New York Department of Buildings and FDNY fire marshals later led to Fakhri’s indictment on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. She was arraigned on November 27 and remanded, with her next court appearance scheduled for December 9.
If convicted, Fakhri faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Woman Accused of Starting ‘Raging Inferno’ to Kill Ex-Boyfriend and His Friend
A New York City woman faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly setting a fire that killed her ex-boyfriend and his friend, trapping them in a Queens garage.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 2, 2024 12:02 pm ET
A New York City woman is in custody for allegedly starting a “raging inferno” that trapped and killed her ex-boyfriend and a female friend who attempted to rescue him inside a garage in November, prosecutors say.
Thirty-five-year-old Edward Jacobs, a father of three who leaves behind 11-year-old twin boys and a nine-year-old son, was asleep on the second floor of a two-story garage when his ex-girlfriend, 43-year-old Aliya Fakhri, allegedly set a deliberate fire near the garage entrance on November 2, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Jacobs’ mother, Janet, told the New York Post that her son had broken up with Fakhri about a year ago, but she had continued to try to reconcile with him.
“Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know like ‘Yo, I’m done with you. Get away from me,’” Janet said. “He’s been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn’t accepting the rejection. They broke up a year ago.”
At the time of the fire, Jacobs was reportedly working on a construction project in Queens to convert a garage into an apartment. His friend, 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne, was also at the residence, with their relationship described as platonic, according to Jacobs’ mother.
Prosecutors say that Fakhri arrived at the property around 6:20 a.m. on November 2 and shouted from outside, “You’re all going to die today,” before setting the garage ablaze.
“A witness who was inside the [adjacent] property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire,” according to prosecutors. “Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape.”
An investigation by the New York Department of Buildings and FDNY fire marshals later led to Fakhri’s indictment on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. She was arraigned on November 27 and remanded, with her next court appearance scheduled for December 9.
If convicted, Fakhri faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Woman Accused of Starting ‘Raging Inferno’ to Kill Ex-Boyfriend and His Friend
A New York City woman faces first-degree murder charges for allegedly setting a fire that killed her ex-boyfriend and his friend, trapping them in a Queens garage.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 2, 2024 12:02 pm ET
A New York City woman is in custody for allegedly starting a “raging inferno” that trapped and killed her ex-boyfriend and a female friend who attempted to rescue him inside a garage in November, prosecutors say.
Thirty-five-year-old Edward Jacobs, a father of three who leaves behind 11-year-old twin boys and a nine-year-old son, was asleep on the second floor of a two-story garage when his ex-girlfriend, 43-year-old Aliya Fakhri, allegedly set a deliberate fire near the garage entrance on November 2, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Jacobs’ mother, Janet, told the New York Post that her son had broken up with Fakhri about a year ago, but she had continued to try to reconcile with him.
“Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know like ‘Yo, I’m done with you. Get away from me,’” Janet said. “He’s been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn’t accepting the rejection. They broke up a year ago.”
At the time of the fire, Jacobs was reportedly working on a construction project in Queens to convert a garage into an apartment. His friend, 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne, was also at the residence, with their relationship described as platonic, according to Jacobs’ mother.
Prosecutors say that Fakhri arrived at the property around 6:20 a.m. on November 2 and shouted from outside, “You’re all going to die today,” before setting the garage ablaze.
“A witness who was inside the [adjacent] property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire,” according to prosecutors. “Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape.”
An investigation by the New York Department of Buildings and FDNY fire marshals later led to Fakhri’s indictment on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. She was arraigned on November 27 and remanded, with her next court appearance scheduled for December 9.
If convicted, Fakhri faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
“This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in a statement. “The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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