NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Authorities say a man accused of killing his mother in a fire at their New Orleans home has been indicted on murder and arson charges.
News outlets cite the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office as saying 40-year-old Erik Beasley was charged Thursday in the November death of 78-year-old Sarah Beasley.
An arrest warrant says surveillance footage from a gas station about a half-mile from the home showed Beasley refilling a one-gallon water jug with fuel. Firefighters found his mother dead with burns inside their apartment about a half hour later. She died of smoke inhalation.
People were interested in these podcasts
Detectives started focusing on Beasley when they couldn’t find signs of forced entry into the home.
DA’s spokesman Ken Daley says Beasley is receiving treatment at a psychiatric unit. It’s unclear if Beasley has a lawyer who could comment.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.