Beloved College Student Died in Tragic House Fire — and Police Claim Someone Close to Her Started the Blaze

A Pennsylvania father is accused of starting a fire that killed his daughter, University of Pittsburgh student Lakyn Shelleby, and left her mother hospitalized.

Allegheny County Police said first responders went to a block in Castle Shannon on Sunday morning. There, 19-year-old Lakyn was found dead, and an adult woman was taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police said early reports showed the fire was intentionally set by a man known to the victims.

According to CBS Pittsburgh, WPXI and WTAE, the suspect is 46-year-old Brian Shelleby, Lakyn’s father. Police later said he faces charges including criminal homicide, aggravated arson, and causing or risking catastrophe. He was taken to the Allegheny County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Lakyn’s mother, Carly Shelleby, told police she had told her husband he could not stay at the home because they were separated, according to a criminal complaint. She said she heard liquid being poured in the garage, and Lakyn said she saw him pouring gasoline. Brian Shelleby later admitted to causing the explosion, the complaint says.

Neighbor Patrick Funwela told CBS Pittsburgh, “I heard an explosion and ran outside and saw all the windows were blown out … the thickest black smoke I have ever seen. We broke the window, climbed up the ladder, screaming for Lakyn — no words, nothing.”

Painter Manul Henriquez also rushed over, thinking of his own children. “We went around the house, trying to help break windows, open doors, but the whole house was engulfed by the time we got there,” he told CBS Pittsburgh.

At a vigil outside St. Anne’s Church, classmates and neighbors remembered Lakyn as vibrant and determined. The University of Pittsburgh sophomore loved animals, played saxophone in her high school band, and was known for her confidence.

“She was so smart, and she could kick down the doors with her charisma. There really was no one else with her attitude,” childhood classmate Alexandria Kelley told WPXI.

Authorities asked anyone with information to call the County Police Tip Line at 1-833-ALL-TIPS.

A fundraiser set up for Carly’s medical expenses and her daughter’s funeral costs has raised over $47,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.