Las Vegas woman accused of setting mobile home on fire over cheating allegations

LAS VEGAS (TCD) -- A 37-year-old woman was arrested this week after allegedly setting fire to a mobile home that left one person dead.

According to a press release from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, on Wednesday, Jan. 26, Las Vegas Fire and Rescue responded to the 1300 block of South Mojave Road on a report of a mobile home fire. At the scene, firefighters reportedly found a woman, later identified as 39-year-old Janae Marie Kachelmeyer, suffering from severe burn injuries covering over 90 percent of her body. Police say she was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Upon further investigation, police say they learned that there were six adults in the trailer at the time the fire started. According to KLAS-TV, three of those adults were taken into custody: Tiffany Willis, Arnold Copeland, and Keshaun Wynton.

According to a report obtained by KLAS, Willis was in a romantic relationship with Copeland. The two were reportedly living in the mobile home with the homeowners. Wynton was allegedly sexually involved with Willis and the victim.

According to KLAS, Willis got into a dispute with Wynton sometime before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Wynton and the victim were allegedly laying on a foam mattress when Willis and Copeland returned, and Copeland asked Willis about cheating on him with Wynton. Wynton confirmed it, KLAS reports, and Copeland broke up with Willis.

Wynton reportedly overheard Willis asking someone for a lighter, and according to police, Willis set fire to a mattress. KLAS reports that the two homeowners were able to escape the trailer with Copeland’s help while Wynton attempted to put out the fire. Willis was allegedly seen fleeing the scene.

According to KLAS, Wynton shouted to a neighbor to stop Willis as smoke was rising from the mobile home. The victim reportedly came out of the home with life-threatening burns, and Copeland tried to help her put out the flames with a jacket and hosed her down.

The mobile home was destroyed by the flames, KLAS reports.

Upon questioning, Willis allegedly told police that Wynton started the fire. According to KLAS, detectives told Willis that witnesses heard her asking for a lighter, and she started to cry and told authorities she had no intentions of hurting anyone. She reportedly wanted to scare Wynton because of their relationship issues.

According to KLAS, Willis said she used a black lighter to start the fire before hiding it in a dumpster. Investigators reportedly found the lighter in a dumpster approximately 30 feet from the mobile home.

Police say Willis was arrested and charged with open murder, attempted murder, and two counts of arson. She was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.

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