Murder Suspect: I Was the Lookout Man
Jeremy Henderson is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson after a local father was found dead in the recent Villa Rosa apartments fire. He told police he was watching the door for several others as they committed the crimes.
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After Hazelwood resident Mike Mansfield was found dead following the apartments fire on Villa Rosa, 20-year-old Jeremy Henderson was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson.
Read More: Beldt’s Aquarium Owner Remembered on Facebook After Tragic Death in Apartment Fire
According to the recently released probable cause statement, Henderson told police he served as a lookout at the front of the building while others poured gasoline in the hallways of the building.
He claimed he saw another person throw a match inside the building onto the gasoline-soaked carpet, igniting the fire.
Read More: Murder May Have Been Motive for Arson in Villa Rosa Apartments Fire
The case is still under investigation. The probable cause statement didn’t specify whether Mansfield was targeted and no motive has been established. No word yet if other suspects are being pursued.
Christi Fieselmann, the mother of the victim's children, said in a Facebook post that she and her children are "sick and grief-stricken" over his death, adding that he had a good heart and always tried his best.
"Mike...and I had our ups and downs, but I am genuinely incredibly saddened and I truly miss him already," Fieselmann said. "Even when we were mad at each other, I called him to ask my silly questions that I knew only he would know the answers to. It's a huge loss to all of us."
*Patch Associate Local Editor Joe Scott contributed to this story.
James W.
3:38 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Great, he'll probably get probation because he admitted to what was happening.His next step will probably be starting the fires.
Angela Atkinson
7:36 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Honestly, James, we don't know what will happen with his sentence, but I certainly hope his punishment fits the crime. Whether he directly started the fire or not, it's clear that he was involved--and his actions left a group of people homeless and a father dead. Personally, I don't feel like probation would be even remotely close to an acceptable punishment. My guess is that the judge and/or jury would feel the same. What do you think?
Joe Scott
11:07 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Assuming he's guilty. Innocent until proven guilty.
James W.
7:57 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Well, The way things are going in this country probation will probably fit the crime.We can only hope he was already in the system and this will be a probation violation,maybe that way he might get six months.But in the end that will just give him more street cred, and the the circle of injustice continues.
Angela Atkinson
11:51 pm on Thursday, August 16, 2012
Joe makes a good point--we don't really know he's guilty yet. But James, for all of our sakes, I hope you're wrong.
christi fieselman
3:39 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
I can tell you this much. My sons and Me will make sure we are heard if at all possible, these people should absolutely NOT get away with this. Low life cowardly murderers. There were babies in that building, as well as many other people, and someone is dead. its providence that Mike was the only one killed. Its horrific.
Angela Atkinson
10:39 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Christi, thank you so much for your comment. I am so sorry for your family's loss, and I could not agree more with your statement. I can't imagine what you and your boys must be going through right now, and I wish you peace and closure. I know the police department will do everything possible to find and convict the person or people who did this to MIke.