Gina Henry dies in fatal Austin fire
Fatal Austin fire death of Gina Henry
A catastrophic blaze destroyed a mixed-use building in Austin, Chicago, claiming the life of Gina Henry and three other victims, with a fourth person recovered from the wreckage days after the disaster. NBC Chicago’s Vi Nguyen reports on the ongoing investigation.
More than twenty-four hours after the initial emergency call, authorities confirmed the grim discovery of a fourth victim amid the ruins. Officials stated the fire was deliberately ignited, and investigators pointed to a domestic conflict as a possible motive. The structure, situated near the intersection of North Laramie Avenue and West North Avenue, contained both living spaces and commercial areas.
Family members revealed that 28-year-old Destiny Henry was missing early Thursday morning, and fire crews, aided by a canine unit, eventually located her body. Relatives shared harrowing accounts, describing how Destiny and her family were attempting to flee when flames blocked all exits. “My cousin died trying to go back up in there to save her son,” a cousin, Latyra Goodman, stated. “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.”
Destiny, along with her sister Gina Henry, who was 32 at the time and reportedly pregnant, and their 5-year-old son Jayceon, were among those trying to escape. A relative, Andrea Boyd, explained that the incident began with an altercation involving thrown objects. “They were home sleeping, and I guess a couple got into it here and threw cocktail bombs through the window,” Boyd said. “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.”
The loss was profound for the community, including a 76-year-old man identified by Ald. Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward. Mitts noted that the man, who worked for the local publication “The Austin Voice,” was deeply involved in neighborhood affairs. “He was all about the community and I guess we were his family,” she mentioned. “I just saw him Monday night. He came in and he wanted me to help him to do a celebration for one of the Austin residents who is now retired from the Army.”
Investigators suggested the fire started after a Molotov cocktail was hurled through the building, escalating from a personal dispute. The blaze left numerous residents without homes and resulted in at least three injuries, including Destiny’s 5-year-old son, KJ, who sustained a head wound and remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Family members expressed hope for recovery, emphasizing their faith amid the tragedy.
Chicago police confirmed they are aware of those involved in the arson probe but added that no suspect is in custody as the inquiry continues. The emotional toll extends beyond the victims, with the family and community mourning the senseless loss. “Destiny loved everybody, they didn’t bother nobody, they didn’t bother nobody,” Goodman reiterated. “This is jealousy, this is evilness. We lost people, my cousin was pregnant. They were not going to tell the family yet because they were waiting—Gina was pregnant.”
