A 70-year-old man in New Jersey, initially praised as a hero for trying to rescue his neighbor from a house fire, has been charged with her murder and arson months later.
The case dates back to July 25 in Fanwood. Emergency responders found 82-year-old Virginia Cranwell dead inside her burning home. Her neighbor, William Ahle, was initially described by his son as a hero who rushed into the house and was burned by flames while trying to open a bedroom door.
This week, the Union County Prosecutor's Office announced a dramatic reversal. The medical examiner ruled Cranwell’s death a homicide and determined the fire was intentionally set. Ahle was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, burglary and second-degree aggravated arson.
Virginia Cranwell (Screen Capture from abc 7)
William Ahle (Screen Capture from abc 7)
Screen Capture from abc 7
Ahle’s lawyer, Steven Wukovits, maintains his client’s innocence, describing him as a "family man" who had an "excellent friendly relationship" with the victim spanning over 30 years. "There was no motive here, absolutely no motive to kill this neighbor," Wukovits told media.
The prosecutor's office has not disclosed a potential motive. The victim's daughter declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation. Ahle is being held at Middlesex County Jail awaiting his next court appearance.
