Death of woman found slashed in Queens fire ruled homicide: police

Officials said Lavina Nolley's death was ruled homicide on Friday.
Officials said Lavina Nolley's death was ruled homicide on Friday. Photo credit Google Street View

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Nearly six months after a woman was found dead in a burning Long Island City public housing apartment with slash wounds to her body, officials on Friday said that her death was a homicide.

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Lavina Nolley, 49, was discovered by officers inside a second-floor apartment on 12th Street near 41st Avenue in NYCHA’s QueensBridge North Houses on the night of Dec. 9 once firefighters extinguished the flames.

Nolley had suffered serious burns and multiple lacerations and was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital-Queens, where she was pronounced dead.

Initially, reports said detectives were investigating whether the wounds were self-inflicted with the fire then set by Nolley.

But now, authorities say Nolley, who also suffered from smoke inhalation, was slashed by a person or persons who then intentionally set the blaze.

No arrests have been made and there is no description at this time.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Google Street View