A woman in New York City is behind bars for allegedly sparking a “raging inferno” that trapped and killed her ex-boyfriend inside of a garage last month, along with a female friend who tried saving him, according to prosecutors.
Edward Jacobs, a 35-year-old father of three who leaves behind 11-year-old twin boys and another 9-year-old boy, was sleeping on the second floor of the two-story garage when his ex-girlfriend, Aliya Fakhri, 43, “deliberately” started a fire near its entrance on Nov. 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 approximately a year ago and was still attempting to get back together.
“Like any other person being rejected, he was telling her, ‘Yo, I’m done with you.'” “Get away from me.” Janet said. “He’d been telling her to leave him alone for a year, but she couldn’t accept the rejection. “They broke up a year ago.”
When the fire broke out, Jacobs was apparently working on a building project to convert a Queens property’s garage into an apartment. His friend, Anastasia Ettienne, 33, was also there, and Jacobs’ mother described their connection as platonic, according to the Post.
Prosecutors claim Fakhri arrived on Nov. 2 at around 6:20 a.m. and said from outside, “You’re all going to die today,” before engulfing the garage in flames.
Following an investigation by the New York Department of Buildings and FDNY fire marshals, Fakhri was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. She was arraigned and remanded on November 27; her next court appearance is planned for December 9, according to prosecutors.
If convicted, Fakhri faces up to life in jail.
“This defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “The victims tragically died as a result of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.” We extend our condolences to the families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne while we prosecute this case.”
Jacobs’ web obituary identifies him as “a man who lived boldly” and “loved deeply.”
“He was passionate about his work in plumbing, and he had an incredible gift for lighting up any room he entered,” according to his funeral notice. Attempts to reach his relatives for comment were fruitless on Sunday.