Last month, on November 2, at 6:20 a.m., a chilling female voice was heard from the garage of a house in Jamaica, a suburb of Queens, New York, saying, “You are all going to die today.” Moments later, the building was engulfed in flames.
According to the New York Daily News, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz reported that a female resident on the property witnessed the incident and raised the alarm. She stated that Edward Jacobs, 35, woke up to the fire and attempted to save his friend, Anastasia Etienne, 33, who was asleep upstairs. Tragically, neither could escape the flames, and both perished in the fire.
The case has taken a sensational turn with the arrest of Alia Fakhri, the 43-year-old younger sister of Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri. Alia has been charged with arson and multiple counts of murder following eyewitness testimony linking her to the crime.
The Case Against Alia Fakhri
According to District Attorney Katz, the fire began in a garage adjacent to the residence of Edward Jacobs. Investigators allege that Alia Fakhri deliberately started the fire, trapping the victims inside the burning building with no escape.
Alia, a resident of Parsons Boulevard in Queens, was remanded in custody on November 27 after being indicted by a grand jury. She faces charges including two counts of murder, attempted murder, and arson. If convicted, she could face life imprisonment. Her next court hearing is scheduled for December 9.
Who is Alia Fakhri?
Aliya is the younger sister of Bollywood star Nargis Fakhri, known for her roles in Rockstar and Kick. While Nargis rose to fame in the entertainment industry, Aliya lived a private life, away from the limelight.
The sisters’ upbringing was marked by challenges. Their father, Mohammad Fakhri, a Pakistani immigrant, married Marie, a Czech national, in the United States. However, the parents separated, and their father passed away shortly afterward. Nargis was just six years old at the time, and Aliya was four.
According to reports, Aliya’s life took a darker turn due to dental problems that led to an addiction to painkillers. This opioid dependency is believed to have impacted her mental health.
Family Reactions
Nargis Fakhri reportedly estranged from her sister for nearly two decades, expressed shock at the news, learning of the incident through media reports.
Aliya’s mother defended her daughter, stating, “I don’t believe Aliya could harm anyone. She was always a caring person who tried to help everyone.” She acknowledged Aliya’s struggles with opioid addiction but maintained that Alia’s character was fundamentally kind.
The Victims
Edward Jacobs and Anastasia Etienne, the two victims, were close friends. Jacobs’ mother revealed that while Jacobs and Aliya were once in a relationship, they had parted ways over a year ago. She alleged that Aliya continued to pursue Jacobs even after their separation.
Legal Proceedings
As the case unfolds, it has garnered widespread attention due to the involvement of Nargis Fakhri’s family and the tragic loss of two lives. The upcoming court hearing on December 9 will shed more light on the case, as prosecutors aim to establish the motive and circumstances leading to the fatal fire.
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