The Fire

The morning of February 15, 2002 started out pretty routine.

And then our whole world changed.

Kevin and I were getting ready for work and we had the radio on in our bedroom.  They came on with a traffic update and mentioned traffic was blocked off along Spring Garden Street because of a fire at the Campus Walk Apartments.  

My friend Rachel lived at those apartments.

I called her a few times as I finished getting ready but couldn't reach her, so I drove by her apartment on my way to work.  

And was devastated at what I saw.

The nauseating smell, the charred shell of a building, firemen, police....

And I learned that four bodies had been found.

Rachel was gone, as well as her sister Donna, Donna's boyfriend Ryan Bek, and their roommate Beth Harris.

One of my best friends.

Gone.

And then we learned it was arson.

Janet Danahey was arrested and later pled guilty to four counts of murder under the NC felony murder law.

She was sentenced to four life terms without the possibility of parole.

According to her, the whole fire was just a Valentine's Day prank gone wrong.  She took lighter fluid, doused her ex-boyfriends futon on his apartment porch, lit it, left, and walked back to her apartment around the corner.

And watched.

This was at 2AM on a Thursday night.  Twelve apartments were in the building.  Full of people.  Most were fast asleep.

The fire quickly spread and people from a nearby bar rushed to help.  Many people were hurt, jumping from windows to escape.  Janet Danahey was still at her apartment.  Watching.  Never. Called. For. Help.

.

And now, ten years into her life sentence , she has filed a petition with the Governor's office for clemency.

Clemency, meaning if the Governor decides, she could be released.

This was more than just a "prank gone wrong" (which turns my stomach to hear).

A fire was set in an occupied building in the middle of the night.  And she left.

What about the others who were hurt trying to escape?

What about the survivors from that night?

The building was destroyed along with everyone's belongings.

What kind of example does this set?  She pled guilty and avoided a jury trial.  Actions have consequences.  For Rachel, Donna, Ryan, and Beth there are no do-overs.  Ten years into a life sentence...

And for everyone affected by the fire, we are now forced to relive one of the worst moments of our lives.

So now Kevin and I will write letters to the Governor in opposition to clemency.

If you would like to as well, then please send your letter to:

Governor's Clemency Office

4294 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-4294

Fax 919-715-8623

email clemency@nc.gov

All letters must be received by August 13th.

Above all else please pray for all of those involved.

I have been blessed by staying in touch with Rachel's parents, and my heart breaks for what they have endured.  There were only a handful of items the firemen were able to salvage from the wreckage and Rachel's Bible was one of them.

The full petition for clemency can be found here ( clemency papers). 
 It omits quite a bit. 
The Llewellyn's responded to the papers in this article news & record response, and on fox 8 news here (fox 8). 
Or please, just ask myself or Kevin if you have questions.