A woman in New York City is behind bars, accused of setting a fire that tragically claimed the lives of her ex-boyfriend and a friend who tried to save him. The fire happened last month in Queens and has left heartbreak in its wake.
Edward Jacobs, a 35-year-old father of three, was asleep on the second floor of a garage he had been converting into an apartment when the fire erupted early on November 2. Jacobs’ ex-girlfriend, 43-year-old Aliya Fakhri, is accused of deliberately starting the blaze, prosecutors said. Tragically, Jacobs and his friend, 33-year-old Anastasia Ettienne, couldn’t escape the flames.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Fakhri showed up at the property near 129th Street and yelled, “You’re all going to die today,” before setting the fire. Inside, Jacobs was sleeping, unaware of the danger. Ettienne, who was also at the property, briefly went downstairs when the fire started but rushed back up to try and save Jacobs. Neither of them made it out.
Jacobs’ mother, Janet, said her son had ended the relationship with Fakhri about a year ago, but Fakhri refused to let go. “He kept telling her to leave him alone, but she wouldn’t accept it,” Janet shared with the New York Post. The relationship had ended, but Fakhri allegedly continued to pursue him, leading to this tragic day.
Jacobs, a construction worker and plumber, was remembered as a loving father to his three sons—11-year-old twins and a 9-year-old boy. He had been working on the garage conversion project when his life was cut short. Ettienne, described by Janet as a platonic friend, was with him that night.
Fire marshals and investigators from the New York City Department of Buildings later determined that Fakhri deliberately started the fire, leading to her arrest. She has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and arson. Prosecutors revealed that if convicted, she could face life in prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the incident as a “malicious act” that caused unimaginable pain. “Two people lost their lives in a raging inferno caused by this defendant’s actions. Our hearts go out to the families of Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Ettienne,” Katz said in a statement.
Jacobs’ family is still reeling from the loss. His obituary described him as a man full of life who loved his work in plumbing and brought joy to everyone around him. Attempts to reach the family for further comment have been unsuccessful.
Fakhri is currently in custody and is set to appear in court again on December 9. For now, the community mourns the loss of two lives in a senseless act that has left an indelible mark on those who knew and loved them.
