June 6, 1992 Bergen, Norway Varg Vikernes of the one-man Norwegian black metal band Burzum allegedly burns down an 850-year-old church Vikernes, who had been convicted of the arson of other churches, claimed the church was destroyed as retaliation for building a church on pagan grounds. Though he was found not guilty of the arson… Continue reading 850-year-old church burned
Tag: arson
Man accidentally kills self while murdering his family in a house fire
May 29, 1995 San Marino, California Leonardo Morita kills his wife, three children (10, 14, and 15), and 25-year-old live-in housekeeper in a house fire to collect insurance money After the explosion, Morita was found by emergency medical teams smelling of gasoline. They noted he had a box of matches and a paper towel in… Continue reading Man accidentally kills self while murdering his family in a house fire
Man executed for murder of family of 4
April 9, 2003 Jarratt, Virginia Earl Bramblett is executed for the murder of the Hodges family, including their young daughters In August 1994, the Hodges were murdered in their home before a fire was started to destroy evidence. Mr. Hodges and his 2 children, Anah (3) and Winter (11), were shot in the head while… Continue reading Man executed for murder of family of 4
Teenaged arsonist burned at the stake
March 29, 1683 Suzugamori execution grounds, near Edo (present-day Tokyo), Japan Would-be arsonist Yaoya Oshichi is executed for attempting to light a fire hoping to see a man she had met during a previous fire Oshichi, a 16-year-old-girl, met a temple page during a fire at the family temple the year before. Hoping to meet… Continue reading Teenaged arsonist burned at the stake
Mother kills self, three children over money woes
March 26, 1929 Toledo, Ohio A pregnant woman kills her 3 children and herself in a fire over money concerns The woman, Hazel Steyer (25), and her husband Gaylord had been quarreling over a substantial debt of $2,881.61 (approx. $42,000 today). In a letter to her parents, she asked for forgiveness for the murder-suicide and… Continue reading Mother kills self, three children over money woes
