Ex-Boyfriend Charged In Fatal Queens Arson

Via WCBS

The Queens District Attorney's office announced that Jimmy Humphrey, 23, was charged with arson and assault for the Springfield Gardens apartment fire that left a pregnant 25-year-old woman and her 2-year-old son dead. Humphrey apparently was the father of the Linda Anderson's unborn child. Queens DA Richard Brown said, "The senseless death of this young woman and her infant child cries out for justice.”

Firefighters responded to an anonymous 911 call notifying them to a fire at Anderson's second-floor apartment at 4:30 on Tuesday morning. They found the mother's and child's burned bodies; little Ayden Hayes was still alive but died at the hospital. According to the criminal complaint, Humphrey admitted under questioning "that he was in the apartment with Ms. Anderson and her son just prior to the fire and that he had grabbed Ms. Anderson by the throat and shoved her, causing her to fall. Humphrey allegedly additionally admitted that as she fell so did a bottle of nail polish remover and a candle, which set Ms. Anderson on fire."

Further, Humphrey allegedly confessed that "he then ran from the apartment, leaving behind Ms. Anderson with her body on fire and her son asleep in a bedroom Finally, Humphrey allegedly admitted that he went home and laid down for a period of time before walking to a phone to call 911 to report the fire."

Humphrey could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on July 16, 2010 8:53 AM

Comments [rss]

rezunabledoubt

I had the pleasure of meeting Linda & Ayden a month ago on 2 different occasions. Spoke on the phone quite often. None of us knows what actually happened, but I will say this, your friend is not who you think he is. He is a liar, a menace and a coward! He did not want to have nothing to do with the child and he made that known one too many times and was very disrespectful in doing so. Linda was scared and the fear became very real shortly before this heinous crime was committed.. Dont get it twisted, this is not based upon news and/or police reports, this is word of mouth! This so called "god fearing", "loving" man is far from the description Linda gave of him. Bottom line, at least you're able to hear this monsters voice. NO ONE will ever hear Linda or Aydens voice again... What I denied from day one, became reality once her phone was disconnected.. What you're denying, will become reality once this creep is convicted!

P.S. How thoughtful of you to come back to "add on" to your previous post after defending this spineless maggot. Something like what he did, went home then went back out to call 911... "Oh yeah, by the way...." Disgusting.. SMH!

Rest In Peace Linda, Ayden, & Unknown Baby "Boy".

Javonne

To add to the first post I want to say my deepest condolences to Linda Anderson's family, no one should have to suffer that kind of pain.

patsw

No one should be happy that Linda Anderson, her unborn child, and Ayden Hayes are dead. The Gothamist account doesn't mention it but other accounts mention the unborn child's gestational age was seven months. May God grant them all eternal peace.

Javonne

Due to the information provided in this article, it is fair for you all to make assumptions about this man's character and to threaten his life. Seeing as though I actually KNOW this man, he happens to be the sweetest, loving, caring and GOD FEARING person you would like to know. Jimmy Humphrey will bend over backwards to help someone and will not ask for anything in return. The newspapers and police department will print and note whatever they like. We have all heard of being wrongfully accused and this is definitely an example. What makes matters worse is to be provided with a public defender that just learned your name an hour before trial. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon to afford a lawyer who actually knows the law and how to fight for a client. Either way, there is no need for me to go into details on how that night actually played out just to prove he is not a monster because we all know that you will continue to believe what you want. Although, I will say this, it hurts my heart to hear the pain in his voice and his lack of faith due to other's ignorance but those who KNOW him refuse to let your WORDS and ASSUMPTIONS damage his mind and heart. So keep calling him a murderer and continue to threaten his life. With GOD, his family and friends he will have the strength to get through this. I am by far not saying he is perfect and everyone makes mistakes but Jimmy Humphrey is NOT a murderer. Despite all evil, everyday he will be reassured that he is GOD's child and no matter what he is loved til the end.

swan mcclinton

the anniversary of my cousins and best friends death draws near so i began just looking up stuff online and i happen to come across this. i understand why u would like to defend him cause u know him. but im so sorry there is no justification for his actions! any person that can set a woman on fire whether accidental or not and walk away leaving her her unborn and her 2yearold son to die is a monster point blank period. no kind hearted god fearing person could do such a thing and then take there ass home and chill making sure they were good and burnt before they sent help i hope he rots in jail. poor lil 2 year old ayden was still alive when they arrived can u imagine the pain he was in the turmoil and he didnt die until he reached the hospital my heart is truly broken and there is a hole in our fam that can never be replaced!!!!!!! i dont believe in the death penalty but i dont believe he should ever be allowed to see daylight again because my cousin and her babies will never see daylight again im sorry no offense to u just needed to get that off my chest!

Rocknrope

Are you saying he's innocent?

Stevennnn

He should be sentenced to death by lighting him on fire and letting his body burn.

I cannot even imagine the pain the woman must have felt before her life was coming to an end.