On March 30, 2024 a 31‑year‑old homeless woman was murdered in a deliberately set fire to an abandoned flat on Warsaw’s Nowy Świat, and the suspect is now charged with murder with extraordinary cruelty.
Police Investigation and Immediate Response
Police from Śródmieście began the investigation under the supervision of the Warsaw Śródmieście‑Północ District Prosecutor’s Office. The preliminary actions, including securing the scene and collecting evidence, were carried out immediately after the fire started.
Fire and Discovery of Victim
The fire erupted around 22:00 in an abandoned flat on Nowy Świat. First responders, including police from the Prevention Unit, entered the smoke‑filled building, while the State Fire Service later controlled the blaze. Police investigators entered the most damaged room and discovered the victim’s body.
Identification and Background of the Victim
The victim was identified as a 31‑year‑old woman suffering from homelessness, determined through DNA testing. Several acquaintances were questioned, and forensic experts conducted multiple examinations to reconstruct the events.
Suspect’s Actions and Motive
The suspect, a 33‑year‑old man, allegedly applied a flammable substance to the victim and the bed she was sleeping on before igniting the fire. Witness reports and the suspect’s own boasting—that he “lit a grill in the apartment… and left the doors open so it would be better”—suggest a personal conflict and a belief that the apartment was haunted and needed to be destroyed.
Legal Proceedings and Current Status
The suspect, currently imprisoned for unpaid fines, was brought before the District Prosecutor’s Office where he was charged with murder with extraordinary cruelty. He denied responsibility, but the prosecutor filed a motion for a three‑month preventive detention, which the court granted. He faces a potential life sentence.
Case Oversight
The investigation is being supervised by the Warsaw Śródmieście‑Północ District Prosecutor’s Office.
