Nurse Allegedly Confesses to Setting Fire that Killed 3 People in Houston

Misty Ann Weaver, 33, was charged with three counts of murder and one count of felony arson in the fatal four-alarm fire at 9343 North Loop East, Houston, Texas. Her bond was based on $100,000 for each murder charge and $30,000 for arson. Weaver allegedly confessed to setting the fire. Those killed were Jeanette Hargrove, 52, Marvin Wells Sr., 46, and Shana Ellis, 38. Of the six who were injured, three were firefighters.

Authorities alleged that Weaver started the fire because she had not finished an accreditation audit that was due to her boss, a plastic surgeon. “She was fearful of losing her job,” Fire Department investigator James Snowden said. “Therefore, she figured that by starting a small fire, it would more or less postpone the audit information.”

The blaze broke out at 5:16 p.m. (6:16 p.m. ET) on the top two floors of the six-story building, according to the Houston Fire Department. Firefighters battled the blaze not knowing how many people were inside, officials said. They conducted floor-to-floor searches. Firefighters used thermal-imaging equipment to help locate people in the thick smoke. Several people were rescued from inside the burning building, some of them backing down a fire truck’s ladder from the upper floors.

One of three people killed in a Houston office building fire had planned to testify March 29th against a man charged with sexually assaulting her daughter. Jeanette Hargrove of Friendswood became a victim’s rights advocate after her daughter was attacked several years ago. She is survived by her husband of 14 years, Willie Hargrove, and a 16-year old stepdaughter. Jeanette Hargrove’s funeral was held Saturday, April 7th, not long before Weaver’s admissions came to light.

Marvin Wells Sr., 46, was a pastor and youth minister and CEO of M&E Transportation, a company with about 15 employees. The family knew something was wrong when Wells, a creature of habit, didn’t come home before his 7:30 aerobics class. Based on whispers of condolence from co-workers Marvin Wells Sr. died trying to help other escape. According to his son he would have been able to exit the building easily.

Shana Ellis, 38, also worked at Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services along side Jeanette Hargrove. She leaves behind 16-year old son, Steven Cox, and 8-year-old daughter, Samantha Ellis. Shana Ellis had been a vocational rehabilitation counselor at DARS since 2005 and had worked for the state for 10 years. Ellis was deeply committed to helping her consumers achieve success.