Woman Rushed Into Fire to Save Her Sister as Arsonist Faces Double Murder Charges

A man with a prior arson conviction is facing double murder charges after prosecutors say he set a fire that killed two elderly sisters inside their Hollywood home earlier this year, as reported by The New York Post.

Authorities allege that Jovan Duverne, 39, intentionally set fire to the Vista Del Mar Avenue residence of Maria “Chelo” Vazquez and Yolanda “Yola” Honda during the early morning hours of Feb. 4. The deadly blaze occurred around 2 a.m., according to prosecutors.

Investigators say the sisters were inside the home when the fire erupted.

Between Jan. 26 and Feb. 4, Jovan Lamar Duverne allegedly set fires at 10 different locations in Hollywood. https://t.co/ozMbeP5nqi

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) March 12, 2026

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Neighbors witnessed a dramatic and tragic moment as the fire spread through the residence. According to a GoFundMe campaign created by the sisters’ family, Vazquez, 76, initially escaped the burning house but returned moments later after telling neighbors she needed to rescue her sister.

“I need to go back and get my sister,” were the last words anyone heard Vazquez say, according to the family’s fundraiser.

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Vazquez reportedly rushed back inside the burning home in an attempt to save Honda, who was 82 years old.

Honda died at the scene of the fire. Vazquez was rescued and transported to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Firefighters responded to the scene near the Vista Del Mar Avenue residence, located just one block from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It took approximately 40 firefighters nearly twenty minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Family members said Honda had recently undergone emergency hip surgery and was recovering at the time of the fire. Vazquez had moved into the home to care for her sister.

According to the family’s GoFundMe page, Vazquez had been helping ensure her sister was safe and cared for during her recovery.

The family also reported that the sisters’ dog, Coco, went missing during the fire and has not been found.

Prosecutors allege the fire was part of a series of arson incidents across Hollywood in the days leading up to the deadly blaze.

Authorities say Duverne used a handheld torch-style lighter to ignite multiple fires between Jan. 26 and Feb. 4. Investigators claim he set approximately ten fires during that period.

The fires included bus benches, loose trash, garbage cans, and a pile of debris located in a homeless encampment, according to prosecutors.

Following the fatal fire at the sisters’ home, law enforcement officers located Duverne just hours later. Authorities said he was found only a few blocks from the scene of the deadly blaze.

Duverne is now charged with two counts of murder and 11 counts of felony arson.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the alleged series of fires posed a significant threat to public safety.

“Setting fires anywhere is reckless and extraordinarily dangerous, but deliberately igniting multiple fires in a residential community shows a shocking disregard for human life,” Hochman said.

Duverne is currently being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.

Court records show that Duverne has multiple prior felony convictions dating back more than a decade. According to prosecutors, he has previously been convicted four times on felony vandalism charges, once for resisting an officer, and once for felony arson in 2015.

Duverne is scheduled to appear in court on April 8 for his arraignment, where he is expected to enter a plea.

If convicted of the charges, prosecutors say he could face the death penalty or life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

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