Aliya Fakhri, sister of 'Rockstar'-fame actor Nargis Fakhri, has been arrested in connection with the deaths of her ex-boyfriend Edward Jacobs and his friend Anastasia Ettienne in Queens, New York. The incident occurred on November 2, when Aliya allegedly set a two-story garage on fire, leading to the tragic deaths of Jacobs and Ettienne from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
According to District Attorney Melinda Katz, Aliya arrived at the garage early in the morning and shouted, You're all going to die today at Jacobs, who lived upstairs. A witness, alerted by her voice, discovered the building was on fire. Jacobs was asleep during the incident, and Ettienne, after being alerted, went back inside to save him, but neither could escape the flames.
Aliya has been charged with multiple counts of first and second-degree murder, as well as arson. If convicted of the top charge, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 9.
Witnesses described the scene as harrowing, with one recalling the smell of burning and the sight of a couch on fire on the stairs. They had to jump over the flames to escape, and Ettienne, who initially escaped, went back to try and save Jacobs. The relationship between Aliya and Jacobs was reportedly abusive, with previous threats made by Aliya to burn down his house.
Jacobs' mother, Janet, mentioned that her son had broken up with Aliya about a year ago, but she had not accepted the rejection. Nargis Fakhri has not yet commented on the incident, but their mother expressed disbelief, stating that Aliya was a caring person who struggled with opioid addiction following a dental mishap.