Virginia – The 28-year-old defendant from Virginia, Savanah, was taken into custody and later charged after she reportedly killed the woman she knew through friends and family, Tifany, by pouring gasoIine while the victim was sitting on the sofa and then Iitting her on fire. The defendant is now charged with first-degree murder and malicious assault resulting in severe injuries. Both are class 2 felonies, which under the Virginia code of law, could land the defendant anywhere between 20 years and life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 if she’s convicted.
The woman suffered severe burns on most of her body and died after admitting to the hospital. Authorities say both the victim and the defendant were acquaintances and reportedly knew each other through friends and family. The investigation process began last week after the 911 caller told the dispatcher about the unfortunate incident. The responding officers found the victim suffering from severe burns. The victim was transported by helicopter to a specialized medical facility for treatment of her injuries. Shortly after the attack, the defendant fled the scene only to be taken into custody the following day.
During the investigation process, authorities discovered that the victim and the defendant knew each other through common friends and family. The victim’s family member, Reina, told local news outlet that the victim was a nice person: “Anybody that knew Tifany, she could light up a room, and whether she was in the right or wrong, I don’t care, I still loved her, but she didn’t deserve to be burned. Tifany is too nice of a person, and this is devastating to me and my family.” People who knew the victim expressed their condolences and their hopes for justice, while the victim’s family still cannot believe what happened, local news outlets reported.
Per reports, this is not the first run-in with the law for the 28-year-old defendant. The woman was scheduled to be tried Monday on misdemeanor destruction of property charge and even had a December trial date scheduled and was free on bond for an attack she committed on a woman in 2023 with a metal pipe. The 28-year-old defendant is now being held without bond, court records say. It remains unclear why the 28-year-old defendant poured gasoIine on the woman she knew, Iitting her on fire while the victim was sitting on the sofa, causing fatal injuries. This incident remains under investigation.
Featured Image – 28-year-old defendant Savanah | Tifany