A Brooklyn man was indicted on multiple charges for allegedly kidnapping a woman, tying her to a chair, and fatally lighting her on fire in a Cypress Hills apartment, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced.
Lashawn Duffie, 28, faces numerous charges including first- and second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and third-degree robbery. If found guilty, Duffie could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison, without parole.
According to the investigation, back on Nov. 11, 2022, at around 12:30am, Duffie allegedly accused his ex-girlfriend — 40-year-old Surgery Ramirez — of stealing and selling his collection of comic books outside of her apartment in Cypress Hills.
Following the confrontational accusation, the 28-year-old Brooklyn man ventured over to a nearby bodega, where he was spotted on video surveillance allegedly purchasing twine, lighter fluid, as well as a lighter, using cash that he had allegedly stolen from a friend of the victim.
Later on in the night, at approximately 3:50am, Duffie came back to the victim's apartment and allegedly assaulted her, tied her to a chair with the twine, dumped the lighter fluid on her, lit her on fire, and left her to burn alive.
The New York City Medical Examiner would later determine that the victim died due to severe burns and homicidal violence.
According to District Attorney Gonzalez, after the incident occurred, Duffie was caught on camera allegedly tossing away his shirt, a lighter, and documents displaying the victim's name into a dumpster. The Brooklyn man would later be arrested on Jan. 24, 2023.
“The brutal and completely senseless murder of an innocent woman, allegedly perpetrated by this defendant, shocks the conscience. This kind of depraved conduct will not be tolerated in Brooklyn, and we are committed to seeking justice on behalf of the victim and her loved ones," said District Attorney Gonzalez.
Following his arraignment, Duffie has been ordered to return to court, with his next appearance scheduled for May 3, 2023.
