The estranged son-in-law of a retired educational assistant killed in a Richmond house fire earlier this week has now been charged in her death.
The 66-year-old victim did not survive the quick-moving blaze and her 13-year-old grandson was also critically injured. He is not expected to live.
None of the family members' names can be published to a court publication ban.
On Friday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced the boy’s father has been charged with second-degree murder.
Since being remanded into custody he has “been to court on other matters,” police said, although it wasn’t specified what he was appearing for.
Sgt. Stephanie Ashton said the father has been estranged from the family since earlier in the month and was not living at the home when it went up in flames.
An online fundraiser has been started to help support the boy's mother.
“She still has two she needs to care for and I know it can be expensive, especially after a fire. And she lost her mom, who was a big source of support for her,” a family friend said.
The grandmother worked as an education assistant at a Richmond high school, and had retired just last year.
“She was a special person and that kind of work she did requires that specialness and empathy and she had that in spades,” said Richmond School District Superintendent Monica Pamer.
“It’s just devastating news.”
