The Department of Justice on Tuesday released the following statement:
Beatriz Fana-Ruiz recklessly started a fire in the basement of the home where she lived, resulting in the tragic deaths of three Wilmington Fire Department Firefighters and serious injury to another. While her motivation in setting the fire was a reaction to her living conditions, her actions were reckless, dangerous, and tragically, fatal. After talking with the families of all the victims and taking into consideration their views and the interest of justice, the State and Fana-Ruiz have agreed on a plea that will include a lengthy jail sentence for her reckless action and require drug and alcohol treatment. Fana-Ruiz pleaded guilty to Murder Second Degree, Arson First Degree, and Assault First Degree and will be sentenced in December. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since filed a detainer against Fana-Ruiz, seeking her deportation to her home country of the Dominican Republic when released from custody in Delaware. Nothing will ever salve the pain of the victims’ families or their co-workers. The defendant’s guilty plea completes the criminal prosecution that will allow those affected to close this chapter of the tragedy that began on September 24, 2016.