LOS ANGELES (TNND) — A suspected serial arsonist was charged with two counts of murder in connection with a series of fires in California, including one that killed two sisters, according to prosecutors.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday said Jovan Lamar Duverne, 39, was arrested in February for his alleged involvement with nearly a dozen fires in Hollywood.
Duverne was accused of setting fire to a house on February 4 around 2 a.m., which prosecutors said resulted in the deaths of 76-year-old Maria Del Consuelo Alarcon-Valdez and her sister, 82-year-old Yolanda Honda.
Prosecutors said it was among at least 11 fires Duverne set between January 26 and February 4. Using a handheld torch-style lighter, he allegedly walked between locations, lighting trash on fire and trying to get inside various buildings.
“Setting fires anywhere is reckless and extraordinarily dangerous, but deliberately igniting multiple fires in a residential community shows a shocking disregard for human life,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in a news release.
“We allege this defendant went on a dangerous arson spree across Hollywood that ultimately claimed the lives of two elderly sisters inside their home,” he added. “Our hearts are with their loved ones as they mourn this devastating loss. When someone sets fires that endanger lives and destroy a community’s sense of safety, my office will pursue the most serious charges available and seek justice for the victims.”
Family members said Alarcon-Valdez was seen on her porch during the fire, telling a neighbor she needed to go back inside to help her sister.
According to a GoFundMe account, Alarcon-Valdez “was in the midst of a difficult recovery from emergency hip surgery due to a fall caused by supermarket neglect” when Honda moved in to take care of her.
The GoFundMe noted that Alarcon-Valdez died at the scene, while Honda suffered cardiac arrests and later died at a hospital.
Loved ones also said they are “desperately” searching for Alarcon-Valdez’s dog, Coco, who has been missing since the fire. They said she is microchipped and urged the public to be on the lookout for her.
The family added that the home was destroyed in the fire.
“This home was not just a house. It was the heart of our family and the realization of the American dream for a young family that migrated from Mexico decades ago,” they wrote.
“It was shared by seven siblings and two generations of children and family. It was a sanctuary where multiple generations gathered to celebrate. It was a central and safe place for everyone to retreat to whenever they need it. Today, that legacy of love and sacrifice has been reduced to ashes,” they added.
Duverne was charged with two counts of murder and 11 counts of felony arson. Prosecutors said he faces “a special circumstance allegation” of multiple murders, as well as sentence enhancements related to a prior arson conviction, including a second-strike allegation.
“If convicted as charged, Duverne faces up to death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole,” prosecutors said. “A decision on the death penalty will be made at a later date.”
Duverne is being held without bail. The case remains under investigation, according to authorities.
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