Minnesota Woman Allegedly Sets Deadly Apartment Fire After Ex-Boyfriend Fight

A Minnesota woman faces murder and arson charges after allegedly setting a fatal apartment fire that resulted in the deaths of two residents.

A Minnesota woman has been charged with murder and arson after allegedly setting fire to an apartment building following an argument with her ex-boyfriend. Tragically, the blaze claimed the lives of two unrelated residents who were caught in the inferno.

The fire broke out around 9:40 p.m. on August 13 in an apartment complex located in the 1500 block of 11th Avenue in Minneapolis. When firefighters arrived, flames were pouring through the roof. Using 40-foot ladders, rescue teams saved two residents stranded on the fourth floor, both of whom suffered burns and were hospitalized. Firefighters extinguished the fire and initially believed no one else was inside the building.

However, that assumption proved to be wrong. Days later, the property manager realized one tenant had not been seen since the fire. Crews returned to the site and discovered two victims—66-year-old Kerry Sims and 59-year-old Debbie Leshelle Allen—buried beneath collapsed roof debris. The medical examiner confirmed they died from smoke inhalation.

Investigators quickly determined that the fire was no accident. According to the probable cause affidavit, arson investigators identified two separate points of origin for the fire on the second floor. One was outside apartment 203, near a pair of pink Rollerblades and a bicycle, while the other was near a stairwell on a carpeted area, which allowed flames to climb to the upper floors.

Detectives interviewed the resident of apartment 203, who revealed he had been in an argument with his ex-girlfriend, 35-year-old Deonna Marie Presbury, just before the fire broke out. He stated that Presbury was yelling in the hallway, demanding some of her belongings from inside his apartment, including the Rollerblades and bike.

A woman inside the apartment told investigators she overheard Presbury allegedly shouting, “I’m gonna burn this motherf—er down … you got me messed up … I’m gonna kill this motherf—er.” Another neighbor corroborated hearing similar threats. Moments later, smoke was detected, and the fire spread rapidly.

During his interview with police, the ex-boyfriend called Presbury and placed the call on speakerphone. When he suggested she was responsible for the fire, she allegedly replied, “Love will f— you up anytime.”

Security footage from inside the building reportedly captured Presbury leaving with a bag of clothing. She was seen walking outside wearing a blue rubber glove and smoking a cigarette. Shortly after, calls about the fire were made to 911.

Detectives uncovered further evidence, alleging that Presbury had a history of setting fires. She had previously been accused of burning property belonging to her ex-boyfriend and was known to carry a torch lighter. Police believe this lighter may have been used to start the apartment fire. Despite the evidence, Presbury denied any involvement during a post-Miranda interview, claiming she was not near the building at the time and only learned about the incident from the news.

Presbury was arrested on Sunday morning and booked into the Hennepin County Jail. She faces two counts of second-degree murder and three counts of first-degree arson. Her bond was set at $1 million, and her next court appearance is scheduled for February 26.