Nargis Fakhri’s sister Aliya arrested for murdering ex-boyfriend and his friend; screamed ‘you’re all going to die today’

The fire, allegedly started by Aliya Fakhri near the entrance of her ex-lover's home, caused both victims to succumb to smoke inhalation and burns, as they were trapped with no way to escape.

By: Entertainment Desk

Kochi | December 3, 2024 09:21 AM IST

3 min read

The fire, allegedly started by Aliya Fakhri near the entrance of her ex-lover's home, caused both victims to succumb to smoke inhalation and burns, as they were trapped with no way to escape.

Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri with sister Aliya Fakhri. (Image: Nargis/Facebook)

Aliya Fakhri, the sister of Bollywood actor Nargis Fakhri, has been arrested on charges of allegedly setting fire to her ex-boyfriend’s home in Jamaica, a neighbourhood in Queens, New York City, resulting in two deaths. According to a statement from Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Aliya has been indicted on murder in the first degree and related charges.

The deceased persons have been identified as Edward Jacobs (35), Aliya’s former boyfriend, and Anastasia Ettienne (33). Katz informed the media that the fire, allegedly started by Aliya in the detached garage near the entrance of Jacobs’ home, caused both victims to succumb to smoke inhalation and burns, as they were trapped with no way of escaping.

Also Read | Fardeen Khan reveals father Feroz Khan gave him Rs 50,000 a month for a year as allowance after Prem Aggan bombed

A resident of Parsons Boulevard in Queens, 43-year-old Aliya was remanded on November 27 after being indicted by a grand jury. She faces four counts of first-degree murder, four counts of second-degree murder and one count each of first and second-degree arson. If convicted of the most severe charge, she could face a life sentence. Her next court appearance is scheduled for December 9.

As per the details shared by the authorities, Aliya allegedly committed the crime on November 2. After arriving at the two-storey detached garage around 6.20 am, she shouted at Edward, “You’re all going to die today.”

“Soon after, a witness who was inside the property came downstairs and discovered that the building was on fire. Ettienne was alerted to the fire and went downstairs briefly. The woman then returned upstairs in an attempt to save Jacobs, who was sleeping. The building became engulfed with flames and neither Jacobs nor Ettienne could escape,” Katz said in her statement.

ICYMI | Haseen Dillruba actor Harshvardhan Rane suspects co-star Vikrant Massey’s ‘retirement’ may be a PR move; Dia Mirza voices support

Story continues below this ad

The New York Post reported that Jacobs, a plumber and father of three, had ended his relationship with Aliya about a year ago; however, she allegedly continued to pursue him. “Like any other person that is being rejected, he was letting her know like ‘Yo, I’m done with you. Get away from me.’ He’s been trying to tell her to leave him alone for the past year, but she wasn’t accepting the rejection,” The Post quoted Jacobs’ mother as saying. She also clarified that Jacobs and Ettienne were friends, not romantically involved.

Aliya and Nargis’ mother has denied the accusations, telling the New York Daily News that she does not believe Aliya was involved in the fire. “I don’t think she would be killing someone. She was a person who was caring for everybody,” Daily News quoted her as saying, People reported.

Nargis Fakhri, who made her film debut by playing the lead role opposite Ranbir Kapoor in director Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar (2011), has also appeared in movies such as Madras Cafe (2013), Main Tera Hero (2014), Housefull 3 (2016), Torbaaz (2020) and Shiv Shastri Balboa (2023), among others. She will be next seen in the Telugu movie Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1, headlined by Pawan Kalyan.