20-year-old charged with capital murder in house fire that killed 55-year-old woman in Galveston

GALVESTON, Texas – The Galveston Police Department said they have made an arrest in connection to a case of arson where a 55-year-old woman died on Feb. 29.

The fire happened around 1 a.m. in the 700 block of 39th Street.

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First responders were able to get three people out of the burning home. A fourth person, identified as Renita Hawthorne, was found unconscious inside the home.

Hawthorne was taken to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Trauma Center where she was later pronounced dead.

The department said 20-year-old Courtney Allen Thompson of Galveston was arrested Friday in the 15000 block of South Post Oak in Houston.

He has been charged with capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault in connection to the fire.

The department said the investigation is still active and they are still pursuing additional suspects.