Woman arrested for burning her boyfriend to death with gasoline

Published On: Sunday, November 25, 2012 1:30 PM
By: John Roberts

Alaska house fire

A woman was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and other felonies after allegedly killing her roommate by throwing gasoline on him, then set fire to the apartment in Anchorage, Alaska.

Suspect Gina Virgilio, 26, is expected to be arraigned Sunday on charges of murder, arson, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and assault, the Anchorage Police Department said. She was arrested Saturday.

In a statement, obtained by the news media, police said "the investigators believe that Gina Virgilio poured gasoline on her roommate Michael Gonzales, in his sleep on the couch in his apartment Friday morning. The woman then turned the gas on fire and then left the apartment. "

Firefighters found him dead when they arrived at the house to fight the fire.
"The fire completely destroyed the apartment where the couple lived and forced the evacuation of about 18 apartments. Some of the evacuees required medical attention at local hospitals for smoke inhalation," police said.