Minneapolis Woman Pleads Guilty to Apartment Arson Murders
Deonna Marie Presbury admits to charges following a 2024 fire that resulted in two deaths and two serious injuries.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Accidents
Deonna Marie Presbury, 36, has pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder in connection with a deadly apartment fire in Minneapolis. Two people were killed and two others sustained serious injuries during the incident.
Why it matters
The plea concludes the primary criminal charges following the August 2024 blaze, which reportedly followed an argument over personal items. Prosecutors chose to dismiss three counts of first-degree arson as part of the legal proceedings.
Deonna Marie Presbury is currently held at the Hennepin County Jail under a $300,000 conditional bail. The court process will culminate in a sentencing hearing scheduled for December 2026.
The players
Deonna Marie Presbury
She is the 36-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder for her role in the apartment fire.
The details
Presbury allegedly initiated two fires within the apartment complex, with the second blaze starting in a rear stairway on the building's second level. A witness account indicated the altercation began over a bicycle and rollerblades prior to the fires.
Timeline
The apartment building fire occurred on August 13, 2024.
Sentencing for the murder conviction is scheduled for December 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the judicial resolution following the 2024 Minneapolis apartment fire. It follows a pattern of local prosecution where arson charges are often folded into or superseded by homicide counts when loss of life occurs.
The legal resolution provides closure to the criminal investigation of the building fire for residents of the impacted Minneapolis neighborhood. Public safety remains a priority as the court concludes this specific case.
The takeaway
The resolution of these charges serves as a sobering reminder of the severe legal consequences resulting from reckless acts involving fire. Residents are encouraged to report any immediate safety hazards to local authorities to prevent similar tragedies.
What happens next
Deonna Marie Presbury is scheduled to be sentenced in December 2026.
Further reading
For more information on similar incidents in the region, visit the Minneapolis accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Talk 1340 KROC-AM.
