AL - Deborah Prater, 49, burned alive, Jefferson County, 27 July 2014 *Arrest*

Deborah Diane Prater, 49, suffered extensive burns to her head, arms, upper body and legs in the attack.

She was admitted to the hospital in serious condition on Sunday, but officials with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said her condition deteriorated late Monday night...

Her former boyfriend, 48-year-old Michael Kennedy, was arrested Monday on charges of domestic violence and attempted murder. Now that Prater has died, detectives will pursue a charge of capital murder against Kennedy.

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Jefferson County sheriff's deputies were dispatched just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday to a report of a house fire in the 4400 block of Nellie Anderson Street. When they arrived, they found Prater with extensive burns to her head, arms, upper body and legs.

Investigators learned she had been dating Kennedy for the past three years. The woman ended the relationship about a month ago. Kennedy returned to the home early Sunday and an argument erupted.

Kennedy poured gasoline on the victim and set her on fire.

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He was charged with first-degree robbery in 1995, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Then he was arrested again just four years later and ordered to be remanded back to a mental health facility. He also faced charges in 2007 and 2009 that were dismissed

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