Jealous girlfriend killed boyfriend's mother and his nephew in arson
"I hope your mama likes being burned alive."
The house located at 1450 Elizabeth Street was only 517 square footage. It didn’t take long before it was engulfed with flames on September 3rd, 2020. Inside the home was 59 years old, Melissa Westen, and her two-grandsons, 8-year-old Aston Griffin, and 4-Year-old, Jesse Kline IV. Unfortunately, the fire ended deadly killing them all.
Hours before the house was covered in flames Abbieana Reneka-Cameilla Williams, age 21, accused her boyfriend, Mackenley Westen (Son of Melissa Westen) of cheating on her with a 16-year-old from Detroit. Ms. Williams went from accusing him to texting him with petty threats. Shortly after, Ms. Williams panicked out of rage and impulsiveness, which tragically led to her mind-boggling, unforgettable act of horror.
Late that evening, Ms. Williams had a friend to transport her to a street off Elizabeth Street. Before arriving, the male driver, according to Lansing State Journal, Williams told someone on the phone,” I hope your mama likes being burned alive.” She also stated she was going to throw a brick in her window. Once Williams was dropped off, she went to the neighbor’s house and asked for a lighter. According to True Crime Daily, a neighbor’s surveillance footage has Ms. William cutting through their grass between 11:24 PM and 11:38 PM. She is seen going up and down Elizabeth Street.
Ms. Westen’s nor her grandsons had no chance of making it out of the burning house, alive. Once Lansing Fire Department arrived there were three victims dead on scene. All 517 square footage of the home was ignited. As reported by investigators originally, they ruled out arson. During this period, it may have brought some hope of getting away with murder for Ms. Williams. Nonetheless, provided by True Crime Daily, Director Robert Merritt with Lansing Public Information podcast with overwhelming evidence, tips, and witnesses that revoked their decision of cancelling the ruling of arson. On September 16, Ms. Williams was captured & indicted on 6 different charges: 3 Counts of homicide and 3 counts of 1st degree arson.
During the trial, the defense team argued that the victim, Melissa Westen started the fire unintentionally from an unattended cigarette. This didn’t hold up at all in court due to the testimonies by fire investigators. It was stated that a cigarette could have been the start of the fire but was eliminated due to the fire would have been leisurely and the victims would have been able to break free. All 3 fire investigators determined that the fire was set premeditatedly. The court record indicates investigators continued and stated the fire was set at the base of the front window of the home. They also determined the window was destroyed before the fire and located two bricks inside the home.
The prosecutor had several different witnesses take the stand and testify against Ms. Williams. The guy who drove Ms. Williams the evening of September 3rd goes by Tyler Bradley. Court documents state Mr. Bradley is friends with the accuser's boyfriend, Mackenley Westen. Bradley attempted to connect with Mr. Westen but encountered Ms. Williams, which resulted in her asking for a ride. During the ride, she was extremely upset and became threatening. This resulted from the defendant calling Mr. Westen’s cellphone and a woman by the name Tara picked up and pretended to be a woman he was sexually involved. Mr. Westen went to visit his brother Michael in Detroit and had been drinking and passed out. Tara is the wife of Michael. She answered Mr. Westen's phone while he was passed out and began toying with Ms. Williams as if she was having an affair with Mr. Westen.
The defendant continues to send treats but to Mr. Westen but through Facebook messenger saying “I hope your mom likes being burned alive.” Mr. Brandley verbalized that Ms. Williams became enraged and claimed she would throw a rock at Mr. Westen's mother's window. He carried on and stated he was shocked by what he was hearing but reported that both the defendant and boyfriend constantly threatens each other and didn’t think she would act on her threats. Thomas Skinner, The Neighbor, whom she asked to use a lighter testified during trial that he gave Ms. Williams a unique lighter that later was in the possession of her boyfriend, Mr. Westen.
The prosecution continues to present overwhelming acts of evidence about the defendant. They brought to the court's attention on August 2nd, 2020, about a month before the arson attack, police came to her house because a small fire was reported. A woman was at Ms. Williams's house with her, and her boyfriend. Ms. Williams became frustrated and jealous that her boyfriend and the female friend were laughing together, and she stormed out of the house and left. After a very short time, they both started to smell something burning. Once they opened the door there was a fire right outside the door. The neighbor watched Ms. Williams start the fire and was the one who called the police. Three different witnesses testified of this event including the responding Police Officer. During the trial, the officer stated he put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.
The medical examiner Michael Markey, ruled the three victims died of smoke inhalation. Aston Griffin and Jesse Kline IV were described in their obituaries as boys who enjoyed playing with each other, loved superheroes, and going to grandma’s house. During a news interview with WILX 10 News, outside the victim's home, Maria Perez, daughter of Melissa Westen & aunt to the two boys cried saying the fire investigators informed her that her mother tried saving the boys and got into the tub and held them and cut the water on. She continues to state that her mother always taken care of them, and they always were with her.
In reference, to court documents, The Ingham County jury returned with convictions against Abbieana Williams. On June 8th, 2022, she was convicted of 3 counts of Homicide and 3 counts of 1st Degree Arson. The defendant has credit for 629 days served and was sentenced to 18-50 years, concurrent terms of life. Ms. Williams is serving her time at the Michigan Department of Correction at the Huron Valley Complex. Her inmate number is 708509.
About the Creator
Kat Grant
*Enjoy writing about romance and crime*
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. 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According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. 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If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
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