CARBONDALE – A Carbondale woman has been charged with First-degree Murder and one count of Aggravated Arson for her involvement with a house fire near the 500 block of South Rawlings Street in Carbondale on March 21 of this year.
Jackson County State’s Attorney Joseph A. Cervantez announced Thursday that Lakesha C. Ross was arrested by Carbondale Police on Friday, April 26 and lodged in the Jackson County Jail with no bond.
Cervantez says the fire resulted in the death of 45-year-old Brandon E. Coofer of Murphysboro.
Just before 4:30 a.m. on March 21, Carbondale Police received a 911 call reporting a
structure fire in the 500 block of South Rawlings Street and a victim suffering from a life-threatening injury. Police along with the Carbondale Fire Department responded to the scene. Police immediately rendered life-saving aid to the victim. The victim was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale for further treatment. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire preventing further damage or potential injuries.
Investigators with the Carbondale Fire Department identified the fire as arson. An investigation into who was responsible for the fire and the injuries of the victim was conducted by investigators from the police and fire departments.
Coofer succumbed to his injuries while in the hospital on April 16.
Cervantez thanked the Carbondale Fire Department, Carbondale Police Department, and the Illinois State Police for their dedication throughout the investigation. He also thanked the community for their concerns and for their cooperation.
