A Virginia woman faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly dousing a family friend with gasoline and setting her on fire. The victim, Tiffany Dunford, succumbed to her injuries hours after the attack, which occurred on November 17 in Max Meadows. Law and Reported Crime.
deputies of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office He arrived at Dunford’s home and found her clinging to life with severe burns covering most of her body. “The victim was transported by helicopter to a specialized medical facility for treatment of his injuries,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Investigators allege Savannah Adams, 28, set Dunford on fire while she was sitting on a couch in her home. images of WSLS, local NBC affiliate revealed the charred remains of the couch at the scene. Adams reportedly fled in a silver 2004 Dodge Neon.
Authorities posted his photo and vehicle information on social networksand was arrested the next morning. Initially charged with attempted second-degree murder and felony assault, Adams’ charges were upgraded to first-degree murder after Dunford’s death. Police indicated that Dunford and Adams were acquaintances who knew each other through mutual friends and family.
“Tiffany is a very kind person and this is devastating to me and my family,” said Dunford’s cousin Nancy Reyna. he told Fox affiliate WFXR. “She could light up a room, and whether she was right or wrong, I don’t care, I still loved her, but she didn’t deserve to be burned.”
Adams has a criminal record that includes previous charges of assault, burglary and obstruction of justice. He was also out on bail for a separate 2023 incident in which he allegedly attacked another woman with a metal pipe. Court documents in that case indicate that the victim reportedly He told a witness: “Savannah was trying to kill me.”
For her previous charges, Adams was twice convicted of trespassing and was awaiting trial for assault. She is now being held without bail at the New River Valley Regional Jail. Dunford’s tragic death has left his family devastated and calling for justice. As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the events that led to the horrific attack.