PHOENIX, AZ – Two individuals have perished as a result of an inferno at a Phoenix-based furniture business, leading to the arrest of a woman in connection to the incident. The furniture store, J&J Sofa Manufacturing, was engulfed in flames on April 27th, just before 10 p.m. local time.
The woman, Katisha Susan Smith, 44, is now facing charges of first-degree murder and arson. Smith also faces non-related drug charges. Surveillance footage provided by a nearby business owner led to her identification and eventual arrest.
The video material reportedly revealed an SUV pulling up to the establishment, with two individuals disembarking from the vehicle. A woman, later identified as Smith, was observed on tape as handing an object over to a male accomplice, not yet identified by authorities. The man set the object ablaze before launching it at J&J Sofa Manufacturing.
The two individuals then promptly fled the scene in their vehicle. The fire destroyed the premises completely, despite the intervention efforts of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Phoenix Fire Department. During the subsequent investigation, the remains of one victim were discovered on site, whereas the second body was only recovered the following day.
Both deaths have been classified as homicides by the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner. A police report indicated that Smith claimed she was compelled to partake in the fatal incident when questioned by officials.
Smith is currently detained with a bond set at $1 million. As of now, her alleged co-conspirators have not been identified.