Hollywood Arson Suspect Charged with Murder

Jovan Lamar Duverne faces multiple counts of murder and arson for deadly Hollywood fires.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A 39-year-old man has been charged with two counts of murder and 11 counts of felony arson for a series of fires he allegedly set in Hollywood, including one that killed two elderly sisters. Prosecutors say Jovan Lamar Duverne used a handheld torch to ignite multiple fires between January 26 and February 4, with the deadly blaze on February 4 claiming the lives of 76-year-old Maria Del Consuelo Alarcon-Valdez and 82-year-old Yolanda Honda.

Why it matters

The deadly arson spree has shaken the Hollywood community, raising concerns about public safety and the ability of authorities to prevent such reckless acts that endanger innocent lives. The case also highlights the challenges of addressing repeat offenders, as Duverne faces sentence enhancements related to a previous arson conviction.

The details

Prosecutors allege that Duverne set fires at 10 locations in Hollywood between January 26 and February 4, using a handheld torch-style lighter to ignite rubbish. The fatal fire on February 4 occurred around 2 a.m. at a home where the two sisters lived. Duverne was arrested later that day near Hollywood Boulevard and Wilton Place.

  • The fires were set between January 26 and February 4, 2026.
  • The deadly fire that killed the two sisters occurred on February 4, 2026 around 2 a.m.

The players

Jovan Lamar Duverne

A 39-year-old man accused of setting the deadly Hollywood fires, including one that killed two elderly sisters.

Maria Del Consuelo Alarcon-Valdez

A 76-year-old woman who was killed in the February 4 arson fire.

Yolanda Honda

An 82-year-old woman who was killed in the February 4 arson fire.

Nathan J. Hochman

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who stated that the defendant showed a "shocking disregard for human life" with the alleged arson spree.

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What they’re saying

“Setting fires anywhere is reckless and extraordinarily dangerous, but deliberately igniting multiple fires in a residential community shows a shocking disregard for human life.”

— Nathan J. Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney

What’s next

Duverne's arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact that reckless arson can have on a community, and the urgent need to address repeat offenders who show a blatant disregard for public safety. As authorities work to bring justice for the victims, the Hollywood neighborhood will grapple with the lasting trauma of this senseless act of violence.