Bollywood Actress’ Sister Charged in Queens Double Homicide
Tragedy struck the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York, last November when a garage fire claimed the lives of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne. Now, the alleged perpetrator, Aliya Fakhri, sister of Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri, stands accused of murder.
On the morning of November 2nd, Aliya Fakhri allegedly set the detached garage ablaze, turning the structure into a deadly inferno. Authorities allege her motives stemmed from a volatile situation with her ex-boyfriend, Edward Jacobs, who resided in an apartment above the garage. According to the Queens District Attorney’s office, Fakhri arrived at the garage around 6:20 a.m. and chillingly yelled to Jacobs, “You’re all going to die today.”
Moments later, a witness inside the building realized the garage was already engulfed in flames. Tragically, both Jacobs and his friend Ettienne, who attempted to rescue Jacobs, perished from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
A grand jury indicted Fakhri on four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree murder, and charges of first-degree and second-degree arson. The charges carry the possibility of life imprisonment.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz issued a statement, saying, “As alleged in this indictment, this defendant maliciously ended the lives of two people by setting a fire that trapped a man and woman in a raging inferno. The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Our condolences are with families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne as we prosecute this case."
The case has shocked those who knew aliya Fakhri. Her mother expressed disbelief, describing her daughter as someone who "cared for and tried to help everyone." She revealed that Aliya had struggled with opioid addiction following a dental procedure, positing this as a possible factor contributing to her actions.
This shocking crime has become a somber reminder of the devastating impact arson can have and the deep grief left in its wake. The legal battle ahead will undoubtedly bring further scrutiny and shed more light on the tragic events that unfolded in that Queens garage.
[Image of Nargis Fakhri’s sister]
Caption: Nargis Fakhri’s sister faces a potential maximum of life in prison if convicted of the top charge. (File image)
