Minneapolis Woman Charged in Apartment Fire That Killed 2
A Minneapolis woman has been charged after a fire at an apartment building killed two people and seriously injured two others.
Deonna Marie Presbury, 35, faces two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of first-degree arson for her alleged role in the Aug. 13 blaze on the 1500 block of 11th Ave. S.
According to the criminal complaint, firefighters responded to the building and found it fully engulfed in flames. Two residents were found in Apartment 403, both dead from smoke inhalation. Two other victims suffered severe burns and required rescue from their fourth-floor apartments. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, with two points of origin identified on the second floor.
READ MORE > Minneapolis coverage
Witnesses reported hearing an argument involving Presbury shortly before the fire. One witness stated that Presbury threatened to "burn this place down" during a dispute over personal belongings. Another witness reported hearing similar threats. Security footage showed Presbury leaving the building with her daughter moments before the fire started, leaving behind items at one of the points of the fire’s ignition.
Presbury initially denied being at the scene but later admitted she was there after investigators showed surveillance evidence. Authorities also noted her connection to prior suspected arson incidents.
Presbury remains in custody on $1 million bail. If convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison on each murder charge and up to 20 years for each arson charge. She was scheduled to make her first court appearance Tuesday afternoon.
> See more of our latest coverage
