Man Tells Cops Home Is Empty As Girlfriend Remains In Fire, Dies

DACULA, GA — Police say a Dacula man lied to them, saying his burning townhome was empty as his girlfriend remained in the fire and eventually died.

Michael Anderson, 36, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter and making false statements after after his girlfriend died in a townhome fire May 29.

Anderson and his mother escaped the home safely. But while firefighters labored to put out the blaze, they found an unconscious Joanna Rutledge in the flames. Rutledge, 32, was Anderson’s girlfriend.

Authorities said an unidentified 911 caller reported something was on fire in the kitchen at around 2:40 a.m.

In police reports say Anderson told officers that Rutledge left the home before the fire started. Police say he knew she was still in the house.

Fire crews found Rutledge unconscious after putting out the fire. She was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center and succumbed to her injuries.

She died from smoke and soot inhalation, according to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department