A shocking incident from the United States has come to light where a man is accused of trying to set his estranged wife’s house on fire while she was inside. The case has raised serious concerns about domestic violence, mental health, and safety during relationship breakdowns.
Man Accused of Attempted Murder and Arson
Nicholas Grundman, a 47-year-old man from Wisconsin, has been charged with multiple serious crimes, including attempted murder, arson, stalking, and property damage. Police say he tried to burn down his estranged wife’s home while she was sleeping inside.
According to officials, the incident happened after his wife filed for divorce and asked him to leave their house. The couple had been married for about one and a half years before things started going wrong.
Marriage Issues and Separation
Police reports suggest that the couple’s relationship had been troubled for some time. Grundman’s wife told authorities that he struggled with alcohol addiction and was unable to keep a stable job. These issues created ongoing tension in their marriage.
In January, after coming home to find him unemployed and intoxicated, she decided to ask him to leave. She even helped him financially by paying for a hotel stay and later an Airbnb. However, he eventually left that place, and she lost contact with him.
Night of the Fire Incident
The incident took place just after midnight on March 19. Grundman’s wife called emergency services to report a fire in her attached garage. She was alone at home at the time.
Interestingly, it was one of her cats that alerted her to the danger. The pet started pawing at her face, waking her up. Within seconds, she noticed smoke filling the house.
She quickly acted and managed to put out the fire using a fire extinguisher. She also safely escaped the house along with her three cats and two dogs. However, the fire caused damage to her car and some personal belongings.
Alleged Threats and Harassment
In the days leading up to the incident, Grundman had reportedly been calling and messaging his wife repeatedly, almost every 30 minutes during the night. She described this behaviour as harassment.
On the day of the fire, she called him and asked him to stop contacting her. During that conversation, he allegedly said, “If I can’t have you, no one is going to have you,” before ending the call.
When police later asked her if she was afraid of him, she clearly said yes.
Police Investigation and Evidence
Investigators found strong evidence at the scene, including signs of an accelerant and a bottle of lighter fluid. This suggested that the fire was intentionally started.
Later, on March 31, police arrested Grundman at a construction site where he was working. At the time of his arrest, he was carrying a loaded handgun in his backpack.
During questioning, Grundman gave mixed statements. At first, he denied being at the house but admitted he had been “stupid.” He also said he often drove past the house to check on his wife.
Eventually, he confessed to entering the garage on the night of the fire. He admitted to using gasoline and setting it on fire with a lighter. However, he denied that he intended to kill his wife.
Charges and Legal Status
Grundman now faces several serious charges:
- Attempted first-degree intentional homicide
- Two counts of arson
- Stalking
- Criminal damage to property
- Carrying a concealed weapon
He is currently being held in jail with a bond set at $1 million. His next court hearing is scheduled for April 14.
