Burning victim dies

Charges have been upgraded from attempted murder to murder in a case where a woman was doused with gasoline and set afire.

The 32-year-old victim died Friday morning, Oct. 9 in the burn unit at Regional One Health Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn.

Johny Joseph Clonch, 32, who was arrested shortly after the October 5 incident, is now charged with murder, according to Marshall County Sheriff Kenny Dickerson. Bond was set at $1 million.

The crime happened at a residence in the 100 block of Tucker Road (Chulahoma area). The victim was found lying outside the residence with burns over most of her body, according to Dickerson. She was airlifted to the Memphis hospital.

“It appeared he used gasoline from a plastic container,” Dickerson said. “The victim stated he poured gas on her and set her afire.”

The suspect, Clonch, of the the 500 block of Hill Farm Road in the Byhalia area, had left the scene but was soon taken into custody.

The victim was orginally from the Fisher Cove area of Byhalia, the sheriff said.

The victim’s mother and two sisters, from North Carolina, arrived at the hospital to meet with doctors prior to the victim’s death, according to Maj. Kelly McMillen.

“I was in contact with the father in Pennsylvania also to update him on the case and his daughter’s condition,” he said.

Reminders Dickerson reminds people to pay attention to any suspicious looking activity in their neighborhoods and report it to his office at 662-252-1311. “Don’t put yourself in harms way but help us protect the property in neighborhoods by calling in tips,” the sheriff said.