House Where 13-Year-Old Kei’Mani Latigue’s Body Was Found Dead Catches Fire 1 Month Later

House Where Kei’Mani Latigue’s Body Was Found Catches Fire One Month Later

In a tragic turn of events, the house where the body of 13-year-old Kei’Mani Latigue was discovered after her brutal murder caught fire in a suspected arson attack. The abandoned home in Toledo, Ohio, where Latigue’s body was found last month went up in flames on the morning of Saturday, April 19, just a month after the chilling discovery. The Toledo Fire and Rescue Department confirmed the blaze, stating that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately, although an official cause is still under investigation.

Footage released by 13 Action News shows a distressing scene of one side of the house engulfed in flames, with the roof collapsed and thick black smoke billowing into the air. Fire department personnel can be seen on the ground battling the blaze as the destruction unfolds. Despite the tragic incident, officials reassured the community that the memorial items placed in memory of Kei’Mani were thankfully not impacted by the fire and would remain untouched by the subsequent demolition of the house.

The fire occurred just a day after Darnell Jones made his first court appearance on Friday, April 18, in connection to charges related to his daughter Latigue’s death. The teenager, who was reported missing on March 18 and later found murdered, led authorities to arrest Jones on suspicion of abduction on March 23. Following the grim discovery of Latigue’s body, a murder warrant was issued for Jones, who reportedly confessed to killing her at the Toledo home where she was found.

Court filings submitted by Toledo Police on April 18 and obtained by 13 Action News revealed chilling details, indicating that Jones admitted to inflicting the fatal wounds on Latigue and dragging her to the vacant house where the brutal crime took place. Surveillance footage, telecommunications records, and witness statements initially linked Jones to the crime, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges of murder, abduction, and felonious assault.

The Lucas County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Latigue died from “multiple incised wounds of the neck,” revealing the gruesome extent of the teenager’s injuries. She was found nearly decapitated, sexually assaulted, and with her hands severed, painting a harrowing picture of the heinous crime that took her life. Jones, who is currently in custody, is set to appear in court for further proceedings on Monday, April 21.

As the community grapples with the double tragedy of Latigue’s murder and the subsequent destruction of the house where her body was found, authorities continue their investigation into the arson attack. The repercussions of this incident serve as a stark reminder of the heart-wrenching consequences of violence and the devastating impact it has on families and communities. The outpouring of support and tributes for Kei’Mani highlights the strength and unity of the community in times of adversity.