Rochester woman who died on fire was mother of five

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The woman who was found on fire this week was the mother of five.

Fantasia Stone’s sister tells News10NBC the family is searching for answers it may never get.

Rochester Police say they found Stone on fire in the hallway of an apartment on Jefferson Avenue on Tuesday night. The same building caught on fire less than 24 hours later.

Stone was 38. In a text message, her sister tells News10NBC, “All I can say on the matter is Fantasia was loved, she was a mom, and she leaves behind five children.”

A sidewalk memorial for Stone has been set up outside the apartment building where she died. Police didn’t have anything to share beyond the fact that they are investigating to see whether her death is a homicide.

On Tuesday, police responded to Jefferson Avenue thinking it was a building fire with a person trapped inside. When they went in, they found Stone.

“I can tell you that that the female had extensive and severe burns,” RPD Capt. Ryan Tauriello said.

The next day, a fire started in the same apartment building, which is at the corner of Iceland Park and Jefferson Avenue. Smoke was poring out of a second-story window in the back. Once again, it was a potential crime scene.

News10NBC spoke to one of the neighbors who remembers Fantasia Stone.

“She’s from the neighborhood. She goes to the store right here. So I’d be seeing her in passing,” he said. “I don’t know her personally, but I know her when I see her.”

Bethany House, a temporary home for mothers and children, said Stone lived there two years ago. Its Facebook post reads, “The memory of this beautiful women is full of love and appreciation for the person she was.”

Stone’s sister said she cannot share information because her sister’s death might have been intentional. She told News10NBC, “My family and I are still searching for answers that we may or may not ever have.”

Stone is not listed as a homicide victim on the RPD homicide list, but the Major Crimes Unit has the case.

Here is the full statement from Stone’s sister:

“Unfortunately, considering the circumstances regarding the case I cannot share any information. Because the investigation is on going and could very well be a matter of foul play the privacy of my family is most important at this time. All I can say on the matter is Fantasia was loved, she was a mom and she leaves behind five children. My family and I are still searching for answers that we may or may not ever have. We respectfully ask for privacy at this moment. Thank you.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact 911, the Major Crimes Unit at 585-428-7157 or Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300.