Woman Accused Of Flinging Flaming Hand Sanitizer During Fight Charged With Murder

The burning liquid sparked a deadly three-alarm blaze.

March 10, 2020

Destiny Waite with her defense attorney Joseph Elder [screenshot from WTNH]

Destiny Waite with her defense attorney Joseph Elder [screenshot from WTNH]

By: Aaron Rasmussen

A Connecticut woman who allegedly ignited a bottle of hand sanitizer and threw it at her girlfriend during a fight has been charged with felony murder after a three-alarm fire tore through their Hartford apartment building and killed a man.

According to an arrest warrant, Destiny Waite, 28, was in a domestic altercation about money with her unnamed girlfriend in their second-floor home around 1 a.m. Sunday when she lit and launched the sanitizer bottle, the Hartford Courant reported.

“The burning bottle of sanitizer splashed against the wall and flames began to spread,” the arrest warrant reads. “Some of the flaming sanitizer struck [the girlfriend’s] arms causing them to catch fire and burn. Destiny then left the bedroom and the apartment while yelling ‘I hope you die.’”

Police said the girlfriend’s mother was able to use a blanket to smother flames scorching her daughter’s clothing, but fire and smoke quickly spread throughout the five-story, 69-unit Charter Oak Apartments.

“When we looked out the door, you couldn't see anything,” building resident Yessenia Flores told Hartford’s WFSB-TV. “The smoke just took all the hallways, you couldn't see nothing when you walked out the door.”

Jerome Kyser, 50, died of smoke inhalation in the fire that seriously injured four tenants, including two children, and left dozens homeless.

In addition to felony murder, Waite faces charges of attempted murder, first-degree arson and four counts of first-degree assault.

Waite denied she was at the building when the massive blaze broke out, but her story kept changing, according to the warrant.

Defense attorney Joseph Elder argued at Waite’s arraignment on Monday that his client’s girlfriend harmed herself in order to frame Waite.

“It’s our position the one who committed this homicide is the one claiming to be the victim,” he insisted. “We believe there is sufficient evidence and information out there that over time [Waite] will be exonerated.”

Waite is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Read more: WVIT-TV

Next Up

Three Men Charged In Killing Of Hip-Hop Legend Jam Master Jay

The Run-DMC DJ was shot to death in a Queens recording studio in October 2002.

5 Key Facts About The Jessica Chambers Murder Case

Jessica Chambers suffered an agonizing death: Firefighters saw her walking toward them, wearing only her underwear & burned over 93 percent of her body.

Believe It Or Not, Scott Peterson, Convicted Wife-Killer, Has Groupies

Since Peterson first got arrested in 2003, admirers have continually loaded his prison bank account with donations.

Yale University Student Stabbed 17 Times In ‘Heinous’ 1998 Unsolved Off-Campus Murder

“The investigation into the homicide of Suzanne Jovin is a very active case,” authorities say.

Omaima Nelson: The Model Who Killed, Castrated & Ate Her Husband For Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day 1991, Nelson unleashed her fury, she claimed, over the sexual terror and other abuses to which her husband Bill had subjected her.

80-Year-Old Woman Charged In 1985 Cold Case Murder Of Romantic Rival

A love-triangle resulted in the tragic murder of Yvonne Menke nearly four decades ago. The alleged killer, now 80, has finally been arrested for shooting her three times in her head and neck.

The Twists And Turns Of The Infamous Susan Smith Case

On October 25, 1994, the 23-year-old South Carolina mother drowned her two young children.

Vegas Politician Upset Over Articles Exposing ‘Potential Wrongdoing’ Accused Of Killing Reporter

Robert Telles allegedly stabbed investigative journalist Jeff German multiple times during a surprise attack, authorities say.

Mysterious Death Of 25-Year-Old Man Last Seen Leaving An NYC Bar May Be Tied To A Robbery Ring

Friends of Julio Ramirez suspect he may have been drugged before his death — and he may not be the only victim.

Remembering Selena: ‘She Was Just An Amazing Soul’

The iconic musician was shot and killed by the president of her fan club almost three decades ago.