Woman Sets Boyfriend On Fire Before Killing Herself

"MORGANTOWN, NC — Burke County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a fire call at 2898 McNeely Drive near Morganton around 8 a.m. on Monday, according to a press release from Sheriff Steve Whisenant.

"Deputies found Karen Mehzahdeh, 61, dead in the basement of the home she shared with 75-year-old Darrell Hubert Powell, who had suffered serious second- and third-degree burns and was sent to Grace Hospital. He was airlifted to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem where he later died from his injuries.

"Further investigation showed Mehzahdeh had set a fire `under the couch where Mr. Powell was sleeping.`

"Mehzahdeh died from a self-inflicted injury shortly after apparently setting the fire.

"The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene assisting with the investigation. They determined the fire originated in the living room.

"Investigators learned that Powell and Mehzahdeh had been in a relationship for several years and lived together at the home."

From The News Herald...