BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A Brooklyn man has been arraigned on murder and arson charges in connection with the 2012 killing of Lorena Escalera, a trans performer found dead after her Bushwick apartment was set on fire, prosecutors announced.
Henry Pacheco, 44, was indicted based on surveillance footage, phone records, and forensic evidence, according to Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Escalera, also known as Lorena Xtravaganza, was 25 years old at the time of her death.
Investigators said Pacheco made multiple phone calls to Escalera in the early hours of May 12, 2012. Surveillance footage captured him entering her building at 47 Furman Avenue around 2:20 a.m. and leaving more than an hour later. Shortly after, smoke was seen coming from her apartment.
Escalera was found lifeless on her bed as the fire engulfed the building. The Medical Examiner determined she was killed before the fire started, ruling her death as “homicidal violence of undetermined type.” The Fire Marshal concluded the blaze was not natural or accidental.
Pacheco was arraigned on charges including second-degree murder, arson, and petit larceny. He was ordered held without bail and is set to return to court on February 19. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.