UPDATE |
BLAIR COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Authorities have released new details about what led to the arrest of an Altoona woman for her role in a fatal fire last February.
On Tuesday, police filed a multitude of charges against 43-year-old Heather Evans, including multiple counts of murder and aggravated arson, for setting fire to an East 5th Ave. home on Feb. 15th, 2022.
Investigators say the fire claimed the life of 75-year-old Mark Stewart, and also resulted in multiple firefighters being injured while battling the blaze.
According to the affidavit, police say Evans was considered a suspect in the fire after investigators discovered "burn patterns" near the base of the stairwell in the home.
Police say, according to witnesses, Evans had also reportedly left the home, just prior to the fire breaking out, and was "visibly upset."
Authorities say they continued to pursue Evans as a suspect after she was accused of setting two other fires in the days that followed the fatal blaze.
Police say one of the other fires was set on the property of an ex-paramour, as Evans was reportedly witnessed burning down the individual's chicken coop.
Investigators say that while they were examining the chicken coop fire scene, authorities reportedly discovered a hand-written note that included a pentagram and the phrase "depart from me and my loved one ye cursed into everlasting fire."
Police noted later that a similar note was also discovered at the scene of a garage fire that Evans was suspected of starting.
Upon further investigation, authorities determined that the fatal blaze was intentionally set using some sort of petroleum based chemical.
Police say when they finally located Evans and questioned her about the fires, she initially denied having knowledge of the fatal blaze.
However, police say Evans digital footprint, including GPS locations and messages obtained from her phone, refuted her claim.
Authorities say Evans did admit to setting the blaze at the chicken coop and the garage, and claimed that the drawings she left behind were "part of her being a white witch."
Police noted that later on in her questioning, Evans also reportedly admitted to being addicted to methamphetamine which causes her to "believe that she is the Egyptian Goddess ISIS."
Investigators say Evans claimed that she sometimes "loses track of time" when she uses drugs.
Police say based upon Evans statements and her "digital footprint," they determined that she had intentionally set the blaze and "made no attempt to contact 911" after doing so.
Evans is being held at the Blair County Prison and her bail was denied.
ORIGINAL |
Authorities say murder charges are being filed against an Altoona woman related to a fire in the city last February.
Heather Evans, 43, faces charges related to second- and third-degree murder, aggravated arson, burglary and causing catastrophe, court documents indicate.
Investigators say Mark Stewart died of smoke inhalation when flames broke out at a home on East Fifth Avenue Feb. 15, 2022.
The fire destroyed the home and also injured three firefighters.
Evans awaits her preliminary hearing, according to court documents.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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