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No Survivors in Richmond House Fire After Fourth Victim Dies

No Survivors in Richmond House Fire After Fourth Victim Dies
PhotoRichmond Police Department

A 33-year-old woman has died from injuries sustained in a recent house fire in Richmond. Authorities allege the blaze was set by her brother, Sergio Rivera-Vega. The other victims consist of Rivera-Vega's 45-year-old father, 5-year-old nephew, and 2-year-old niece.

On Saturday, police confirmed the death of a fourth victim related to a house fire that broke out in Richmond on Tuesday on the 200 block of 15th Street. As the Chronicle reports, authorities noted that the 33-year-old woman died from her injuries after being listed in critical condition for the past three days.

Her death follows the passing of the suspect's 2-year-old niece on Thursday, as SFist previously reported. Two other victims — Rivera-Vega's father and young nephew — both died before they could be transported to a hospital.

Prosecutors have already charged Rivera-Vega with three counts of murder and additional charges of arson causing great bodily harm. The Chronicle notes that prosecutors have yet to announce if they'll add another murder charge in light of this latest death.

As SFist reported Wednesday, Rivera-Vega, 32, lived at the home where the fire occurred with his father, sister, and his sister's two small children. He was spotted at the scene of the fire amongst onlookers and subsequently arrested.

A family member, Anselmo Rivera, identified the suspect as his nephew, and per KTVU, shared that Rivera-Vega suffers from mental health issues. According to Rivera, the sister's name was Maria and the children's names were Jolene and Andrew.

She's since established a GoFundMe campaign to help with rent expenses related to the tragedy. The Chronicle notes that, if convicted, Rivera-Vega faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Related: Death of Two-Year-Old Girl Brings Toll to Three In Suspected Richmond Arson Fire

Zack Ruskin

Zack Ruskin

Over a decade of experience covering arts, culture, and news in the Bay Area and beyond. Bylines include Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, SFist, WaPo, Variety, SF Chronicle, and Alta Journal.

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No Survivors in Richmond House Fire After Fourth Victim Dies
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