A Gary man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Maria Leal, 87, in a Portage apartment fire early Tuesday.
Leal’s death was from carbon monoxide asphyxiation secondary to arson, the autopsy report from the Porter County Coroner’s Office says. Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes ruled Leal’s death a homicide.
Jesse Chabes, 51, has been charged with murder, murder in the perpetration of arson, arson and intimidation, all felonies. He is being held without bond at the Porter County Jail.
Portage police had earlier reported a suspect in Leal’s death was being held on unrelated charges after being found driving near the fire scene at about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
During an argument elsewhere between Leal’s daughter, who lived at the apartment, the younger woman’s boyfriend threatened Monday evening to burn the apartment, police said.
Leal was found inside the ground-floor apartment after the fire was extinguished.
The fire was reported shortly after midnight Monday at Swanson Court Apartments in the 3300 block of Willowdale Court.
Police are asking for witnesses to report any suspicious activity in the area between 11 p.m. Monday and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Video footage would be helpful, too. Police said they’re also looking for information on a gray 2013 Jeep Patriot with paper plates in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Portage Detective Trent Howard at (219) 764-5675.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.