Watch CBS News

Woman Set On Fire Dies

MIAMI (CBS4) – The woman allegedly set on fire by her boyfriend Wednesday has died.

Miami-Dade Police said Margarita Blanco was allegedly being beaten by her boyfriend, Jesus Alvarez, outside her mobile home and dashed inside for protection early Wednesday evening. Alvarez followed her inside and that is where the alleged burning took place.

Detective Roy Rutland said the woman had been chased through the trailer park as Alvarez beat her.

"There was a short period of time where this man disappeared, we believe that is the point he went and retrieved five gallon container of fuel, gasoline, at that point it appears he continued to beat her," Detective Rutland said.

 "That is when he doused her with fuel, we believe it was gasoline, but we're still waiting for results, and set her on fire."

On Friday Blanco's mother, Julia Mendez, described the attack.

"He came in and took her out by the hair. He grabbed her and punched her over and over and right there he threw her on the floor while punching her," Mendez said.

Miami-Dade Police say Alvarez is a career criminal and that he's on the run. They ask for help in locating him.

If you have any information on Alvarez or the burning, call Miami-Dade CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477). 

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. )

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.