Court records show that a 27-year-old man, later identified as Anthony, who was charged in connection with the death of a 74-year-old woman, later identified as Carol, has recently been sentenced to life in prison.
On the morning of January 20, 2022, police were dispatched to a trailer home reported to be fully engulfed in flames. Upon their arrival, they discovered the residence of the elderly woman ablaze, with neighbors affirming her occupancy. Firefighters found Carol deceased inside, with an autopsy later revealing she had suffered severe beatings and stab wounds and was doused in gasoline before the fire started. The investigation quickly focused on identifying a suspect captured on surveillance footage acting suspiciously around Carol’s home and carport shortly before the fire outbreak.
Anthony was arrested the following day under unrelated charges after being reported for loitering and making inappropriate comments at a local store. His arrest for vehicle burglary led to a shocking discovery—Anthony possessed items that connected him to the crime scene, including lighters and a gas can. The surveillance footage showed Anthony wearing dark clothes and carrying a red gas can. His clothing matched the surveillance description. Further evidence solidified Anthony’s involvement, with DNA analysis linking him directly to Carol’s car and ultimately to the murder.
It said that Anthony broke into Carol’s trailer home and attacked her with a knife. He then doused her with gasoline and set fire to the trailer, leaving her to die in the flames. He also rummaged through her car, which was parked in the carport with the trunk open. Carol’s neighbors alerted the police when they saw the trailer engulfed in flames.
Anthony’s guilt was established when he provided detectives with detailed confessions of his actions, detailing aspects of the murder only the perpetrator could know. Subsequently, he faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated arson, torture, and the destruction or concealment of evidence. In a legal proceeding, Anthony entered a no-contest plea to first-degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon and felony elder abuse resulting in death, along with additional charges for assault and battery against custodial officers during his jail time. He was sentenced to life in prison last week.
