Northern Virginia man convicted of arson, murder for deadly townhouse fire
LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. - A Northern Virginia man was found guilty after he intentionally started a deadly townhouse fire that killed his neighbor.
What we know:
Jacob Bogatin, 78, was convicted of murder and arson in connection with the Oct. 24, 2025, fire.
Fire crews responded to Riptide Square where they found two homes on fire and a resident trapped. The fire spread from home to home, killing his neighbor, 26-year-old Madelaine Samantha Akers.
The fire also destroyed two homes, damaged a third and left eight people displaced.
Court documents revealed that Bogatin filed an insurance claim the day after the fire, which more than doubled the amount owed on his unit.
READ MORE | Sterling fire suspect filed insurance claim day after fatal blaze, court documents say
Investigators determined that the fire was set behind the townhomes. Bogatin was captured on surveillance near the back of the home.
During Bogatin's trial, jurors heard a frantic 911 call in which Akers was heard screaming while trapped in her bedroom at the time of the fire. The call captured her pleading for help before going silent.
A witness also testified that Bogatin and his girlfriend were facing eviction at the time of the fire.
The Source: Information in this article is from Loudoun County Court officials.