(WWJ) A woman from Michigan's Upper Peninsula is facing up to 60 years in prison after entering a plea to murder, arson and other charges for setting a deadly house fire.
Authorities say 57-year-old Jeffrey Grant died on November 22, 2021, after 43-year-old Hope Snyder of Kincheloe set his house on fire.
According to the Michigan Attorney General's Office, Snyder and Grant got into an argument that night at Grant's home on N. Morse Road in Fountain, a Village in Mason County's Sheridan Township.
Investigators uncovered angry text message sent by Snyder to her friends, stating that she planned to steal the victim's truck and money. In one message, read aloud by a detective during court proceedings, Snyder wrote: "But this fool don't know me. I'll burn this (expletive) to the ground right now."
Grant and his two dogs were found dead in his burned out house. And while it initially looked it it could have been a tragic accident, sheriff's investigators grew suspicious when they discovered the dead man's truck was missing.
Snyder fled across the state in the victim's truck, and was arrested while trying to board a flight to Alaska at Detroit Metro Airport.
She then pleaded guilty to charges for stealing the truck, but denied any involvement in Grant's death.
Arson investigators later concluded that someone intentionally set the fire in a closet under some stairs in Grant's home, using a jug of alcohol-based gel.
AG Dana Nessel said a thorough investigation by the Mason County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police arson investigators led to Snyder being charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree arson and two counts of animals – killing/torturing second degree.
In a deal with prosecutors, she had since pled no contest to one count of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree arson and two counts of animals – killing/torturing second degree.
Nessel said the deal includes a sentencing agreement of 35 to 60 years in prison.
"This plea agreement ensures Ms. Snyder will face significant consequences for her unconscionable crimes," Nessel said, in a new release Tuesday. "I commend the diligent efforts of Michigan State Police and the Mason County Sheriff's Office, who worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victim, his family, and his beloved pets."
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 27 in the 51st Circuit Court in Mason County.
