SD Man Gets Life in Prison For Fire That Killed Mother, Sister

A San Diego man found guilty of lighting a house fire that killed his mother and sister was sentenced Friday to three life terms.

Thongsavath Sphabmixay, 46, faces life in prison without parole.

The jury convicted Thongsavath Sphabmixay, 46, of murder, attempted murder and arson, including special circumstance additions of multiple murders and murder by arson.

On April 4, 2013, firefighters discovered Bouakham Sphabmixay, 69, and Pamela Sphabmixay, 48, unconscious in two upstairs rooms after a fire broke out at their Mira Mesa house.

The women were taken to the UCSD burn center, where they died the following day from smoke inhalation.

None of Sphabmixay’s family members showed up for Friday’s sentencing hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Nicole Rooney said “they’ve essentially lost their whole family,” noting the deceased mother and sister and life imprisonment of Sphabmixay.

Rooney said investigators were never able to determine a motive for the crime.

Fire officials said the fire appeared suspicious from the start, for they found gas containers, lighter fluid and lighters inside the home. Rooney said Sphabmixay’s DNA was found on one of the containers.

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