Evelyn Zigerelli-Henderson: Woman convicted of murder after setting fire to husband and delaying 911 call

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: A 68-year-old woman from Pennsylvania was found guilty of murdering her husband, who was discovered burned on their backyard patio in 2022. She tried to make it seem like his death was a suicide.

The accused, Evelyn Zigerelli-Henderson, a frequent contender in local elections, was found guilty by a Dauphin County jury on Friday, March 15. 

According to court documents, she was convicted on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, and arson in connection with the 2022 killing of her 84-year-old husband, Carmen Henderson, a former county deputy sheriff.

The jury deliberated for a mere 45 minutes before reaching their verdict.

Police reported to couple’s residence after woman dialed 911

According to Law&Crime, Evelyn Zigerelli-Henderson dialed 911 in the early hours of June 16, 2022, informing the emergency operator that her husband had passed away after "initiating a fire and burning himself." 

Notably, the dispatcher noted hesitance in the caller's responses, recording that "something is very off with the caller. She is hesitant to answer questions," as stated in court documents. 

Emergency personnel reached the scene around 5 a.m. to discover the victim, later identified as Carmen Henderson, deceased and unclothed on the rear patio of the couple's residence. 

Authorities noted the presence of fly larvae in his mouth and nostrils, indicating a significant period since his demise. 

Suspicion turned towards Zigerelli-Henderson as inconsistencies emerged in her recounting of events.

What did Zigerelli-Henderson report to investigators?

At first, Zigerelli-Henderson told investigators that she and her husband argued the night before, and she found him burned outside in the morning, claiming he killed himself. 

Later, she said she heard him scream around 1 a.m. Then, she said he accidentally started a fire while smoking a cigar. The fire investigators didn't find her story believable. Her story kept changing. 

Eventually, Zigerelli-Henderson concluded by telling the police that she witnessed her husband sitting in a folding camp chair with his lower pant leg ablaze, shouting her name for assistance.

According to this version of events, she initially intended to call 911 but changed her mind. However, she couldn't clarify her decision to refrain from making the call and delay, despite knowing he was engulfed in flames.

Investigators asked about her relationship with her husband and found a financial reason for the murder. They were in debt because she spent their money on vacations and luxury things. Their business failed because she didn't manage it well.

They owed a lot of money in mortgage and taxes, and they thought they would lose their home. Zigerelli-Henderson said she knew she would be homeless soon and couldn't live with her husband's children from another marriage. 

Her sentencing hearing date has not been revealed yet.