Woman tries to kill mom and her boyfriend by setting house on fire, KY cops say
A Kentucky woman is facing several charges after authorities say she tried to kill her mom and her mom’s boyfriend by setting their house on fire.
Sarah Shelburne, 33, is charged with first-degree arson, two counts of attempted murder, assault on a police officer, terroristic threatening and wanton endangerment, according to court records.
The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home at about 9:30 p.m. Aug. 16 for reports of a fire that was started after an argument, according to court records.
Shelburne used rubbing alcohol to set her mom’s home on fire while her mom and her mom’s boyfriend were inside, deputies said.
Deputies arrested Shelburne at the home and took her to the sheriff’s office for questioning.
While being interviewed, Shelburne told deputies she had been thinking about lighting the home on fire to kill her mom and her boyfriend “for most of the day,” court records said.
When asked what her intentions were, she said “she wanted to kill them,” deputies said.
Shelburne told deputies she poured rubbing alcohol on her dresser and a pile of clothes on the floor before lighting it on fire, according to court records. She said she knew the two people were in the home when she did it, authorities said.
While talking to investigators, Shelburne was belligerent and spit on a deputy and threatened to kick his teeth out, court records said.
Authorities didn’t report any injuries.
This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM with the headline "Woman tries to kill mom and her boyfriend by setting house on fire, KY cops say."
