Police say they have arrested a 50-year-old woman and are seeking charges against her in the shooting death Tuesday of a St. Louis woman who was out on bail in her own murder case.
28-year-old Tatyana Smiley was found shot to death about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday inside a building in the same block in the city’s Hamilton Heights neighborhood.
Smiley was out on bail and awaiting trial on charges of first-degree murder, arson and armed criminal action. She was accused of fatally shooting 72-year-old Charles Watkins on June 28, 2020, and then setting fire to his home using gasoline.
Watkins’ body was found after a fire at a home in the 4900 block of Thrush Avenue, authorities said. Witnesses told police they saw an explosion and smoke billowing from the home, and that investigators found a gasoline can in the kitchen.
In a Oct. 28 court hearing, prosecutors sought to revoke Smiley’s bail after her electronic monitoring device reported several house arrest violations and expired batteries.
The court’s pretrial release coordinator told Circuit Judge Clinton Wright at the hearing that battery problems are common with such devices but that Smiley often failed to provide advance notice when leaving her home.
Wright denied the motion to revoke bail.
According to television news reports, firefighters began an arson investigation after responding late Tuesday night to a fire in the Semple Avenue home where Smiley’s body was found earlier. A fire department spokesman could not be reached Thursday.
Police gave no indication whether Smiley’s homicide was linked to Watkins’ death last year.
Police arrested 50-year-old Consandra Perry Thursday in connection with Smiley’s murder and for armed criminal action.
An arson investigation is also underway after the home Smiley was found dead inside went up in flames hours after.
Firefighters rushed back to the home after 11 p.m. Tuesday as the fire ripped through the first and second floor. No one was hurt from the fire, officials said.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371, or anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and is interested in a reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
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