Sunday, May 26, 2024–1:00 p.m.
-Floyd County Jail records-
A Rome man is charged with murder following a fire Saturday evening on Addington Court in West Rome that claimed the life of his stepmother.
26-year-old Timothy Edward Lary is accused of intentionally setting a fire knowing that two people were inside.
The fire destroyed the residence and claimed the life of 70-year-old Sara Lynn Lary.
According to a Rome Police Department report:
Timothy took a bunch of papers and lit fire to them throwing them onto the mattress in his room.
Lary’s father, Edward Lary, told police that he yelled at his wife to get out, and he ran out himself.
He believed his wife was right behind him. He then said he made it outside and his wife was not there.
Edward Lary believes she went back toward the bedroom to rescue their small dogs and cat.
The two dogs and a cat also perished in the fire.
Edward then told officers that his son had been mad all day, working his way into a rage.
Timothy had reportedly threatened to burn the house down when his father and stepmother were at work.
Timothy believed the lot, which was owned by his mother and was being rented by his father and stepmother, should belong to him, and he wanted his mother to sell the lot so he could have the money and be on his own, according to the statement from the father.
When the police officer arrived on the scene, Edward tried to grab him as he ran past and said “He set the fire and my wife is inside! I want him to go to jail!”
He pointed to Timothy on the side of the road.
The officer walked over to Timothy and asked “Did you set fire to the house?” He answered, “Yeah I did.”
In addition to murder, Lary is charged with aggravated assault, 1st-degree arson, 1st-degree criminal damage to property, felony cruelty to animals, and elder abuse.
