MESA, Ariz. — An East Valley woman has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fatal residential fire last month near Power and Broadway roads in Mesa.
Stephanie Williams, 40, was taken into custody this week for allegedly killing Wallace Robinson, 42, by starting a fire on June 8.
12News spoke with family members of both Williams and Robinson, who they say were together for about two years.
"He was a loving and caring man," Robinson's ex-wife Brandy Galloway said. "He had his ups and downs. He was trying to better himself."
Court records show Robinson was allegedly doused with gasoline as he was lying in bed before the fire was started. The victim sustained third-degree burn injuries on 67% of his body. He later succumbed to his wounds on June 25.
Galloway and Robinson were married for seven years until they separated after she said they lost a child. She now lives in Indiana but said she kept in constant contact with Wallace.
Six days before the fire, he called her to wish her a happy birthday. That's the last time they spoke.
"He's been in and out of prison, he was trying to better himself and build a relationship with his daughter," Galloway said. "[Williams] robbed them of that. She took his life from everyone that loved him."
Investigators noticed the odor of gasoline inside Williams' car and on rubber gloves found in her vehicle, court records show. A gas can was later discovered in the bushes near an apartment unit where Williams ran for help after the fire started.
Williams was also injured in the fire and was transported to the hospital. Police say she allegedly confessed to wanting to hurt the victim as she was being treated at the scene.
"I had to do it. He was going to kill me," Williams allegedly said.
Williams' oldest daughter, Kiana Washington said her mother loved Wallace, despite it being "an abusive relationship."
"My mom's not a murderer," Washington said. "My entire life, my mom has been the strongest person. She's been through a lot."
Court records show Williams and Robinson have had a history of domestic violence issues over the last couple of years.
In May, Washington said she learned of problems in her mother's relationship when Wallace allegedly assaulted Williams at a gas station.
"I remember going to his apartment to [tell him] to stop hurting my mom and the only thing I remember him saying [was] 'your mom broke my heart, so now, I have to hurt her'", Washington said.
After the fire, Williams told police that Robinson had allegedly threatened her but didn't provide specific details.
Mesa police arrested Williams for charges of arson and murder on Thursday.
Washington is the oldest of five. As she cares for her siblings, she is worried about her mother’s health behind bars.
“She currently has a trach in her throat and a GI tube in her nose that feeds her," she said. "She’s currently in a cell in a wheelchair by herself with no medical treatment.
As Galloway mourns, she wants justice.
“He was well loved,” Galloway said. “Nobody deserves to go like that. She took that from us, she took his life from everyone that loved him.”
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