‘Arsonist texted boyfriend “I hope your mom likes being burned alive” as she torched home and killed 3’
An arsonist set her boyfriend’s mother’s home on fire, then texted him saying: ‘I hope your mom likes being burned alive’ as three died, police say. Abbieana Williams, 21, allegedly sent the text after starting the blaze that killed her boyfriend’s mom Melissa Westen, 53.
The September 3 fire in Lansing, Michigan, also killed Westen’s grandchildren Aston Griffin, 8, and Jesse Kline, 4. Williams is said to have traveled to the home planning to throw a rock through its window after accusing her boyfriend of cheating on her. She denies the murder charges she now faces.
The full text she sent her boyfriend reportedly reads: ‘I’m outside your mom’s house…I hope your mom likes being burned alive.’ Williams was dropped off at Westen’s home by a friend who believed she was going to toss a rock at it. The alleged killer arsonist then reportedly asked a neighbor to borrow a lighter.
Surveillance camera footage seen by police is said to pick up the sound of glass breaking at around 11:24pm on the evening of the fire. A woman can then be seen walking back and forth on the street close to the targeted home for the next 15 minutes.
The Lansing Fire Department was called out at 11:45pm, by which time flames were visible from the house’s windows, the Lansing State Journal reported.
Efforts to save Weston and her grandkids proved unsuccessful. Investigators initially believed the blaze had started accidentally, until they received a tip-off about Williams’ alleged involvement.
An obituary for Aston and Jesse said they were ‘active and inquisitive children who loved superheroes and serial killers’, and that they enjoyed playing with their little brother and watching YouTube videos.
Their grandma was remembered for her ‘beautiful smile’ and ‘positive attitude.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk
For more stories like this, check our news page