At roughly 4:20 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, in the 500 block of Rosegill Road near Reams Road in Chesterfield County, Virginia, fire crews responded to heavy flames erupting at a home where two elderly sisters lived.
Inside, firefighters found 75-year-old Evelyn Newman and her sister, 78-year-old Hazel Johnson, who were quickly rushed to nearby hospitals but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
A subsequent investigation revealed the fire was intentionally set. Law enforcement teams from the Chesterfield County Police Department and the Fire Marshal’s Office zeroed in on one suspect: 25-year-old Alicia Newman, the granddaughter of Evelyn. Alicia, who reportedly lacked a permanent address, was arrested and is currently being held without bond.
According to family and local reporting, Evelyn had allowed Alicia and her children to stay in the home she had lived in for more than 30 years. But after a heated dispute, Evelyn asked Alicia to move out. Within hours of that request, the home was engulfed in flames.
Neighbors say the sisters, both using walkers or crutches, were beloved in the community and known for their polite and gentle demeanors. One neighbor recalled routinely helping them with chores, never imagining such a tragedy would strike.
Investigators believe evidence gathered on-site pointed directly to Alicia’s involvement, and more charges are expected as the probe continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Chesterfield County Police.
This heartbreaking case underscores how quickly home can turn into a scene of disaster—and how fragile family ties sometimes mask deeper tensions. As the community mourns Evelyn and Hazel, authorities work to uncover every detail of this devastating incident.
