A Florida man, Robert Head, 58, is facing charges of first-degree murder and arson following a fatal incident at his home. The incident reportedly began as a dispute over the air conditioning setting, which escalated to the point where Head allegedly doused his wife in gasoline using a cooking pot and set her alight, leading to her tragic death.
The Williston Fire Rescue team responded to a call about a house fire around 7:48 p.m. on a Thursday. Upon arrival, they found the house fully engulfed in flames and were informed that a woman was still inside. Firefighters rushed into the burning house and discovered a deceased woman. Officers were also informed that Head was the alleged perpetrator of the crime.
Head was later found hiding in a dog kennel, clutching a machete and threatening to harm himself. He was subsequently taken into custody. The victim’s daughter, who was present in the house when the incident occurred, told deputies that her mother was set on fire by Head. She described her relationship with Head as tense, with frequent arguments between him and her mother.
According to the daughter, the dispute on that fateful day began over the temperature of the house. She had returned home from work to find the air conditioning set low and the house uncomfortably warm. An argument ensued between Head and his wife, during which he allegedly insulted her. Head then left the house, returning with a cooking pot filled with gasoline. He reportedly told his wife, “If we’re going out, we’re going out together. I told you I ain’t never leaving you,” before dousing her in gasoline.
The daughter further informed the police that Head lit a piece of paper and threw it at his wife, causing an explosion. The daughter was also injured in the incident and managed to escape the house. Following his arrest, Head allegedly confessed to setting his wife on fire. He claimed that he had been upset because his wife had been siding with her daughter during arguments since she moved in with them two years ago.
Head also admitted that he had planned to take his own life before the arrival of the police. When questioned, he reportedly stated that he deserved to die for taking his wife’s life. The victim was identified as Genevether Head by Gainesville ABC affiliate WCJB. Her nephew, Jamell Bradshaw, described her as a blunt, caring, and supportive person. Bradshaw also mentioned that the victim’s daughter is recovering from her injuries and dealing with the loss of her mother. Head is currently being held at the Levy County Jail without bond.