Kalena Stubbs Pleads Guilty To Setting Ex-Boyfriend On Fire

Kalena Stubbs, a 51-year-old woman from Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault for dousing her former boyfriend with lighter fluid and then setting him on fire.

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According to People, on Dec. 3, Madison County District Attorney John “Bubba” Bramlett announced that Stubbs, who initially claimed her ex-boyfriend accidentally fell into a lit fireplace while holding a bottle of lighter fluid, pleaded guilty to attacking her ex-partner during an argument. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the life-altering injuries he sustained.  

“The injuries this victim suffered were horrific and some of the most severe we have seen,” Bramlett said in his statement shared Wednesday. “I know that his injuries will affect him for the rest of his life, and we hope that this sentence gives him some sense that justice has been done.” 

Kalena Stubbs carried out the vicious attack on Jan. 16, when deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call reporting that a man had been badly burned and required immediate medical attention.

Upon arriving at his home, officers found the victim suffering from severe burns across his torso, upper arms, and face. However, investigators quickly noticed something unusual: his clothing showed no signs of fire damage. Their suspicion grew as they questioned Stubbs about the discrepancy.

“She admitted that she changed his clothes before calling 911, but stated he had fallen into the fireplace holding a bottle of lighter fluid,” Bramlett said in the statement.

Inside the home, officers also found an open bottle of lighter fluid sitting on the mantle. It appeared untouched by flames, further contradicting the explanation provided. According to Bramlett, the officers “immediately began to suspect Stubbs was responsible but were unable to ask the victim about what happened due to his injuries.”

The victim was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he spent months recovering in burn units and nursing facilities. His injuries were extensive, with third-degree burns covering his entire upper body, Bramlett said.

Months later, once he regained the ability to speak, the victim was finally able to tell investigators what happened.

“When he finally regained his ability to speak, he indicated that Stubbs had doused him with lighter fluid and set him on fire while they were arguing,” Bramlett said, noting that his story was consistent with the burn patterns across his body. 

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