Suspect in NYC torching charged with murder

[December 20, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Deloris Gillespie was a fun-loving, fast-talking mother of four who helped anyone she could in her Brooklyn neighborhood and at the post office where she worked for years.

Suddenly -- in a few fiery moments in an elevator -- her life was snuffed out on Saturday.

Police say 47-year-old Jerome Isaac sprayed gasoline on Gillespie before setting her ablaze.

Isaac has told police he set her on fire because she owed him $2,000. Authorities say Gillespie reportedly believed he was stealing items from her home.

Isaac is being held without bail in Gillespie's death. He's charged with murder and arson.

[Associated Press; By VERENA DOBNIK]

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