Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
At around 4:15 am., on Saturday, Feb. 3, The Flint Township Police Department were notified there was a fatality at 3353 Helber Street, according to David Leyton, Genesee County prosecuting attorney.
After searching the home on Feb. 3, the fire department located Angela Craig, 43, who had died due to smoke inhalation. They also located a dog and a cat that had both died as well.
Officers had been at the home about an hour before the fire for a suspicious call. They had done an investigation and spoken to Chad Allen Egan, 31, of Flint Township. Police knocked at the door and called Craig, but they were unable to reach her at that time.
Egan is now the defendant in the criminal proceeding.
“The 911 call had come from that house, complaining that Mr. Egan was banging on the back door of her home, and she wanted him to leave,” explained Leyton.
After further investigation, the officers found several security cameras. They looked at the video.
“The video shows Mr. Egan leaves on foot from the home, and it appears he is yelling and screaming,” said Leyton. “A short time later, he’s back again. The security footage shows he actually had some kind of a lighter in his hand, and he flicks it on and off, and on and off. Then, you see flames reflect off nearby houses, indicating the 3353 structure is actually on fire at this point. On some of the video, you can actually hear audio. You hear a crackling sound. You hear several loud pops and explosions, and then eventually the house is on fire. It appears Mr. Egan set it on fire.”
Egan is charged with one count of felony murder and one count of first-degree arson.
Leyton confirmed Craig and Egan knew each other and had been together earlier.
“We believe they had been drinking alcohol. We believe there had been some kind of an argument, and she asked him to leave. When he does come back, he sets a blanket on fire in the back of the home, which then sets the entire house on fire.”
The maximum penalty for felony murder is life in prison without possibility of parole. First degree arson is a felony punishable by imprisonment for life or any term of years, or a fine of not more than $20,000.00, according to the Michigan Legislature.
Leyton pointed out Egan has the right to a trial by jury and said he is not permitted to say whether or not there was any type of confession made by Egan.
