Kalena Stubbs (Madison County District Attorney’s Office).
A Mississippi woman ignited a shocking incident when she set her former boyfriend ablaze, later attempting to convince authorities that he had “fallen into the fireplace while holding a bottle of lighter fluid.” Prosecutors revealed that she even changed his attire before alerting emergency services.
“The victim’s injuries were among the most severe we’ve encountered,” declared Madison County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett in a press release following the sentencing of 51-year-old Kalena Stubbs. Stubbs faced charges of aggravated assault.
In a court hearing, Stubbs admitted guilt to the felony charge, receiving the maximum penalty for her crime—a 20-year prison sentence, as detailed by Bramlett.
Though the ex-boyfriend survived the ordeal, Bramlett noted the lasting impact of his injuries, stating they will “affect him for the rest of his life.” He expressed hope that the sentencing provides a sense of justice for the victim.
The incident unfolded on January 16, when Stubbs contacted law enforcement, claiming the victim had “fallen into the fireplace” at his Madison County residence.
“Upon arrival, police discovered the victim severely burned across his torso, upper arms, and face,” the press release reported. “Investigators quickly noticed the absence of burns on his clothing, prompting further questioning of Stubbs. She then confessed to changing his clothes before dialing 911.”
Officers noted that there was an open bottle of lighter fluid on a mantel that “did not appear to have come into contact with an open flame” and “immediately began to suspect Stubbs was responsible,” per the release.
The victim was airlifted from the scene to a local hospital. He spent months in out-of-state burn units and nursing homes while trying to recover from third-degree burns covering his entire upper body, according to Bramlett.
“When he finally regained his ability to speak, he indicated that Stubbs had doused him with lighter fluid and set him on fire while they were arguing,” the release says. “This was consistent with the burn locations and patterns on his body.”
Stubbs has been ordered to serve her sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. She must serve all 20 years.
