72-Year-Old Woman Dead After Son Doused Her With Gasoline, Set Her On Fire

A 72-year-old woman has been reported dead after her allegedly son poured gasoline on her and set her on fire in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Monday, Aug. 22.

The accused, identified as 48-year-old James Parker, allegedly doused his 72-year-old mother Joanna Parker with gasoline and set her ablaze on the porch of her home in Lyons Street on Monday, Aug. 22, because he was upset with her.

Officers from the Winston-Salem Police Department arrived at Lyons Street at about 10:39 a.m on Aug. 22 after they received reports that someone had been set on fire. At the scene, law enforcement found Joanna lying on the front porch of her home and still in flames, the Charlotte Observer reported.

The officers extinguished the fire and quickly transported the woman to a hospital for immediate treatment. However, the woman succumbed to her burn injuries and died at the health facility later that day.

Following the incident, James was arrested and charged with murder. James is currently being held at the Forsyth County Detention Center without bond. He had his first appearance in court on Tuesday, Aug. 23, WRAL reported.

This incident marks the 22nd homicide in Winston-Salem this year. An investigation into the murder is ongoing. Meanwhile, officials have asked anyone with information in relation to the incident to call them at 336-773-7700.

In a similar but unrelated incident, a man has been accused of dousing his son with paint thinner before proceeding to set the victim ablaze after a heated argument ensued between them over finances in Valmiki Nagar, Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, India on Friday, April 1, Latin Times reported.

The victim, identified as Arpit Setia, had reportedly taken over his father Surendra Kumar's fabrication business three years ago but has been unable to run it properly. Setia had recently borrowed US$1,97,989 to run his business, troubling the patriarch about the failing operations.

Kumar, who was reportedly worried about how his son would handle the money from the loan, began demanding accounts of the business from Setia. However, when Setia refused to provide details of the accounts, the father reportedly got angry and a heated argument ensued between the duo.

Following the confrontation, the father allegedly walked up to the victim and poured thinner all over him. Kumar then lit a matchstick and hurled it at Setia, setting him ablaze.