Woman sets fire to man’s house after he invited her over for late-night sex then fell asleep, police say
Accused Taija Russell was left on doorstep – so she went to petrol station, bought lighter fluid and burned place down
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A woman has been accused of setting fire to a man's home after he invited her to his house for late-night sex then promptly fell asleep and did not hear her at his door.
Taija Russell, 29, is alleged to have sent a series of furious doorstep texts to the slumbering amour before buying lighter fluid, matches and a lighter at a nearby gas station and setting the house in Woodbury, New Jersey, ablaze.
The house was entirely destroyed, while the victim – whose has not been named – only managed to escape by physically removing a window frame and climbing through the opening.
His path to the property’s only doorway was already blocked by the raging flames when he awoke at 4.30am, police said.
He suffered smoke inhalation and first- and second-degree burns.
Firefighters had to rescue his dog from inside the still-burning building.
I see you wanna die
“The residence and its contents were completely destroyed,” says the probable cause statement, according to USA Today.
Police then learned of texts sent by Russell to the victim, which included “I see you wanna die” and “You wasted my money to come out here.”
The victim’s phone also showed eight missed calls, according to the probable cause statement.
He told police he’d invited Russell to his home “and stated that she was a ‘side chick’ whom he had been having a sexual relationship with”.
Video surveillance showed the woman outside the house “just prior to the fire” after making a purchase at a Conoco station at around 4am, police said.
Russell is being held on charges of attempted murder, aggravated arson, endangering and criminal mischief.