ODESSA, TX – A septuagenarian is behind bars after police say she intentionally set a fire that killed an Odessa woman.
According to the Ector County Sheriff’s Office, on Sunday afternoon deputies were dispatched to the 6400 block of St. Louis Avenue for reports of a house fire. At the scene, they found the home engulfed in flames.
After first responders arrived at the scene they located a victim inside the home. The victim, identified as Jone Rister, was transported to a local hospital before she was airlifted to a burn unit in Lubbock.
“We all told her bye,” said daughter-in-law Crystal Rister. “The kids love you. The grandkids love you. We’ll see you in Lubbock.”
Jone Rister
According to the Rister family, Jone was a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Rister would ultimately succumb to her injuries. Her family would not make it to the Lubbock Hospital and see her alive once again.
“She had this heart the size of Texas. She would help anyone. She had love for everyone,” said daughter-in-law Susann Rister. “She was our everything. She was the glue that held our family together. She was the grandmother that our grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved.”
The subsequent investigation revealed 71-year-old Linda Letcher intentionally set the home on fire. Letcher was charged with Arson Causing Death, a first-degree felony.
The Rister family is raising funds to help with funeral expenses. Anyone interested in donating can submit funds to a special account at Southwest Bank.
Funds can be transferred via Acc#:1108530 / Routing#: 112322508 or by contacting Crystal Rister at (432) 638-3732.
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