BREVARD COUNTY, FL — A 73-year-old Florida man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly attempting to murder his girlfriend by setting fire to their shared home while she napped inside. Just a day after gifting her flowers and chocolates, police say William Clements Jr. lit the house on fire with the intent to trap and kill her.
Clements is currently being held without bond at the Brevard County Jail, charged with attempted murder, arson, false imprisonment, aggravated battery, and animal cruelty, according to police records.
A Tragic Turn After a Seemingly Kind Gesture
The horrifying incident unfolded on the afternoon of April 4, when the victim—who has not been named for safety reasons—was napping in her bedroom. According to the arrest affidavit, she woke up to the smell of gasoline and saw flames outside her bedroom door, trapping her inside.
Firefighters later found two points of origin for the fire and discovered a five-gallon red gas can inside, suggesting the blaze was intentionally set.
“You Don’t Kill a Woman, You Disfigure Her”
Despite suffering burns over nearly 60% of her body, the woman managed to communicate to officers that she believed Clements had tried to kill her, referencing a chilling statement he had previously made:
“You don’t kill a woman, you just permanently disfigure them.”
She was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital due to the severity of her injuries and continues to recover.
A Violent History of Abuse
The woman told authorities she had been in a relationship with Clements for nine months, and he had been living with her for four months. She reported two prior incidents of domestic abuse, including one in February where she says she was zip-tied and beaten so badly that her front tooth was knocked out.
Photos of her injuries from that incident were found on her phone, backing up her account.
Clements, who has a criminal record dating back to 1993, was on parole for kidnapping and spousal rape at the time of the February incident.
Quick Arrest, Serious Charges
Neighbors told police they saw Clements leaving the area “in a hurry” shortly before the fire was reported. When deputies located him, Clements allegedly said:
“You’re here for me, right?”
That same day, he was initially charged with aggravated battery and false imprisonment. After the fire investigation, authorities added more serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder, arson, and animal cruelty, as the victim’s dog was also rescued from the home.
Arraignment Canceled
Clements was scheduled to be arraigned on May 13, but the hearing has since been canceled, according to court records. He remains in custody without bond.
Community Reacts
Angela Klusek, a friend of the victim, told WESH she was familiar with the couple’s violent past and wasn’t shocked by the incident. She recalled the disturbing irony of Clements giving his girlfriend gifts the night before:
“The night before [the fire], he brought her flowers and chocolate.”