Melissa Pfeiffer, 27, of Chelsea, was held on $1 million cash bail following her arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court last Thursday. Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley reported that the woman admitted to intentionally setting a Christmas Eve fire that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Crystal Blanchard, caused third-degree burns to her boyfriend, and injured two firefighters.
Pfeiffer faced a five-count indictment that included second-degree murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon—specifically fire—causing serious injury, arson, and two counts of causing injury to a firefighter as a result of criminal conduct.
Prior to the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins and Katherine Moran, victim-witness advocate on the case, compiled sketches that Blanchard—described as a talented anime artist—had created and left at the scene. These drawings were placed in a binder and given to Blanchard’s mother, stepfather, and cousin.
Higgins informed Clerk Magistrate Gary D. Wilson that the fire at 295 Spruce St. in Chelsea was deliberately set and originated in Pfeiffer’s first floor apartment. “Evidence suggests that the defendant intentionally set the fire that fateful night inside her apartment after having a fight with her boyfriend,” Higgins said. “The defendant set some of her boyfriend’s belongings on fire.” The flames rapidly moved to the second floor, where Blanchard and her 33-year-old boyfriend were watching a movie. Upon hearing the smoke alarm, the boyfriend looked out the window and discovered the building engulfed in flames. Both were blocked from escape by smoke and fire. “He suffered fractured vertebrae and a fractured ankle,” Higgins told the court. “He sustained third-degree burns to his extremities. He continues to receive 24-hour medical care and will face lasting consequences from the fire for the rest of his life.” Blanchard perished in the fire, according to the prosecutor. “She was found unresponsive at the top of the second floor stairwell,” Higgins said. “Ms. Blanchard died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Her body at autopsy presented with significant physical trauma from the fire that roared below her.” Two Chelsea firefighters also suffered smoke inhalation while fighting the fire.
A joint investigation by Chelsea Police, State Police homicide detectives from Conley’s office, the Chelsea Fire Department, and State Fire Marshal investigators determined that the fire had been deliberately set by “human intervention,” Higgins said. “Following the fire, the defendant made highly incriminating statements, including admissions to starting the fire,” Higgins said. “Those statements were reported to the police and subsequently to the Grand Jury.” Attorney James Doyle represents Pfeiffer, who is scheduled to return to court on May 5.