Twin sisters have been charged with murder in the second degree, arson and domestic assault following a December 4 house fire at 1730 S. Picher Avenue, Joplin, in which one man was killed and a woman was severely injured.
The Jasper County Prosecuting Attorney filed charges against Elizabeth Marie Baez, 40, Joplin (top photo), and Tiffany Lukasiewicz, 40, Pittsburg, Kansas, and both are in custody, according to a Joplin Police Department news release.
In the fire, David Crowder, 68, Joplin died, and his wife, referred to as "L. C." in the probable cause statement was severely injured, suffering third degree burns to the front and right side of her face and on both hands.
The alleged crime is described in Baez' probable cause statement:Tiffany Lukasiewicz (pictured at left) and Elizabeth Baez consented to interviews and confessed that they were in contact with each other the night of the fire. Elizabeth and Tiffany voiced their hatred about LC. Elizabeth told Tiffany she was going to "beat LC's ass" while talking over the phone.
Tiffany stated Elizabeth arranged to have people come to 1730 S Picher Ave and assault LC.
Tiffany stated Elizabeth and she planned to start a fire at the back of the house then assault LC. A fire was created in the living room of the residence.
LC was not successful at putting out the fire. Elizabeth was on scene as the house caught on fire. Elizabeth helped Tiffany out of the house.
As a result of the fire arranged by Elizabeth and Tiffany, David Crowder died, and LC suffered serious physical injury
As a result of the fire arranged by Elizabeth and Tiffany, David Crowder died, and LC suffered serious physical injury
Lukasiewicz' probable cause statement says she "made contact with an additional person, B.W. to arrange having a fourth person who was residing in the basement, J.W., removed so he would not be involved with the incident.
The JPD news release said the investigation is continuing.
Baez and Lukasiewicz are being held without bond.
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