Destiny Henry dies in fatal Austin fire
Fatal Austin fire death of Destiny Henry
Investigations indicate someone deliberately ignited a blaze at a mixed-use property close to the North Laramie Avenue and West North Avenue intersection, leading to multiple fatalities within Chicago’s Austin community. Fire department officials announced the recovery of a fourth body from the structure remnants more than one day after the initial emergency started.
Law enforcement agencies suspect the blaze, which resulted in the loss of life for three other people, was set intentionally on Friday. Sources stated that a disagreement between two individuals, possibly involving the throwing of Molotov cocktails, sparked the fire in the building where Destiny was a resident.
Destiny Henry, along with her sister Gina Henry and her five-year-old son Jayceon, were among the family members who perished. Family members shared that Destiny was reported missing on Thursday morning from her apartment building. Search efforts were extended by the firefighters, who eventually located her remains with the assistance of a canine unit.
Latyra Goodman, who is related to one of the deceased, conveyed that Destiny was attempting to return to the building to rescue her son when the fire became too intense. “My cousin died trying to go back up in there to save her son,” Goodman explained. “They couldn’t even get out the back. The back was on fire, somebody set it on fire. It was not a mistake—this is murder.”
Further inquiry revealed that some people may have thrown fireworks or pyrotechnic devices through the building’s windows before fleeing. Andrea Boyd, another family relative, stated the family was resting at home when the disturbance began. “They were home sleeping, and I guess a couple got into it here and threw cocktail bombs through the window,” Boyd mentioned. “By the time they ran to the back door, it was on fire, by the time they went to the front door, it was on fire—so they had to start jumping out through the windows.”
Destiny’s sister, Gina Henry, who was 32 years old, and her son, Jayceon, also lost their lives in the incident. Citing community bonds, Ald. Emma Mitts mentioned that the late 76-year-old man, who worked for “The Austin Voice” neighborhood publication, was well-known in the area. “He was all about the community,” Mitts shared.
The fire led to numerous individuals being displaced and at least three individuals sustaining injuries. KJ, Destiny’s five-year-old son, was one of the injured persons. The family reported he remains hospitalized with a severe head wound, though his condition is described as stable and improving.
Family members have expressed their belief that the fire was deliberately set, fueled by jealousy or ill will. “Destiny loved everybody, they didn’t bother nobody,” Goodman emphasized. “This is jealousy, this is evilness. We lost people, my cousin was pregnant.”
Current investigations are ongoing, and authorities have identified those being sought, though no one is in custody at this time.
