A Missouri man was captured on his parents' Ring camera allegedly setting their home ablaze while his mother remained trapped inside, authorities said.
Ryan Willis, 36, has been charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson in connection with the death of his mother, Shirley Willis, at their residence in Kansas City last week. He is being held in Jackson County on $250,000 bond.
Background
Firefighters and police responded to the home just before 7 a.m. last Tuesday after receiving a call about a reported arson, according to a probable cause affidavit. Neighbors alerted an off-duty firefighter after hearing a woman screaming from inside the residence.
"The off-duty firefighter attempted to enter the residence through the front but was unable to do so due to the fire," the affidavit states.
Local firefighters arrived at the scene, entered the home, and removed Shirley Willis. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead by paramedics.
Investigators learned that Ryan Willis' father had received a motion notification from his Ring doorbell camera showing "Ryan Willis on the front porch setting objects on fire." The father told police he was not allowing Ryan Willis inside the residence and had last spoken to him around 5:30 a.m. before leaving for work.
"The dad told investigators that when he left, Ryan Willis was on the front porch asking if he could go inside," according to the affidavit. "[He] told Ryan Willis he could not go inside but could remain on the front porch."
The Investigation
A neighbor told investigators he was awakened by a female banging on his door and telling him the Willis home was on fire. When he exited, he felt the heat from the flames and saw Shirley Willis "upstairs inside the residence yelling for help."
The neighbor looked across the street and allegedly spotted Ryan Willis standing on a porch. "Ryan Willis looked at [the neighbor] and said, 'The house is on fire,'" the affidavit says. When asked to help rescue Shirley Willis, investigators allege Ryan Willis did not move.
Investigators recovered evidence including photographs, fire debris samples from the front porch, a liquid sample, and a folding knife with a broken tip.
Ryan Willis was taken into custody and interviewed by authorities. He allegedly admitted to intentionally setting the residence on fire and stated he "used one of his old books and a blue lighter" to ignite the blaze.
Investigators noted in the affidavit that Ryan Willis also claimed he used a Kansas City flag in an attempt to cover the Ring doorbell camera because, according to the filing, "he was ashamed of starting the fire."
While being processed by jail officers, authorities allege Ryan Willis stated: "He should have died in the fire." He has denied knowing his mother was inside when he started the fire, though her car was parked in the driveway at the time.
Key Takeaways
- Ryan Willis, 36, is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson
- His father told investigators Ryan Willis was not permitted inside the home that morning
- A Ring doorbell camera allegedly captured him setting objects on fire on the front porch
- He reportedly told a neighbor "The house is on fire" while his mother screamed for help upstairs
- Investigators allege he admitted to using an old book and blue lighter to start the blaze
- He claimed in an interview that he attempted to cover the Ring camera with a Kansas City flag because he was ashamed
What's Next
Ryan Willis is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a bond review hearing. A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 23.
The case remains under investigation by local authorities, and additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues.