SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, May 3, the Santa Monica Police Department revealed that charges were filed against a suspect in connection to an arson that led to the death of a Santa Monica resident. The suspect has been identified as Victoria Renae Darlington, 26, of Santa Monica. The charges were filed with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Airport Division Courthouse.

According to Lt. Saul Rodriguez of the SMPD, on Monday, April 30, at about 9:41 p.m., officers responded to a radio call for service of a structure fire to a single-family residence in the 2600 block of 31st Street. Before arriving on the scene, the Santa Monica Fire Department (SMFD) was alerted and already on scene working to extinguish the fire to an attached garage. While on scene, an elderly resident was found unconscious in the house. The resident was treated at the scene by SMFD Paramedics and transported to a local hospital for treatment, but later died from injuries she sustained.

Following a preliminary investigation by SMPD and SMFD Arson Investigators, evidence and information was gathered revealing that the fire was intentionally set. Darlington was identified as a primary suspect involved in the incident. She was located and taken into custody in Riverside by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Darlington has been charged with 187(a) PC – Murder; and 451(b) PC – Arson to An Inhabited Structure. She remains in custody with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office on a $2 million bail pending future court proceedings. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Cooper (310) 458-8478; Detective Leone (310) 458-8949; or the Santa Monica Police Department at (310) 458-8491.