Woman Charged with Murder After Allegedly Setting Friend’s Car on Fire

A woman, who calls herself the “Goddess of Fire,” has been charged with murder following an incident where she allegedly ignited her friend’s Honda Element during a dispute about Xanax, while a propane tank was present nearby.

Nicole Naziris, 30, was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder and arson after a fire erupted at a Pilot truck stop in Hesperia shortly after midnight on Tuesday, as reported by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Her bail has been set at $1 million.

Upon arrival at the scene, police discovered two vehicles engulfed in flames, and a witness led them to Nagyris, who was arrested in the vicinity.

According to James Barr, the owner of the destroyed vehicle, the trouble began hours earlier when he, Nagyris, and two others were journeying from San Diego to Las Vegas. Barr, a professional pyrotechnician, explained he had met Nagyris through a mutual acquaintance and had offered to assist her during a rough patch.

Reportedly, Nagyris, who was homeless and had recently left an abusive relationship, had been invited on the trip after her situation improved. “We were headed to a music festival in the hills of San Diego,” he mentioned.

While returning through California, they stopped in Tijuana for lunch, and later Naziris began consuming alcohol at a friend’s residence in the U.S. Tensions escalated when she allegedly requested a prescription for Xanax from Barr.

“She wouldn’t stop asking me about my Xanax, but I didn’t give it to her,” Barr stated. The argument turned violent while he was driving, with Naziris striking him in the head.

Barr explained that the force of the blow made him lose control of the steering wheel, prompting him to stop at a gas station. After asking Naziris to exit the vehicle, he began taking his belongings out, but then sensed something was amiss.

“She started going through my luggage,” he recalled. “Then I smelled gas and thought, ‘What’s that smell?’ That’s when she threw a match and set the car on fire.” At the time, two other friends were asleep inside the car.

The noise startled the passengers awake, allowing them to escape before the vehicle was entirely consumed by flames. The situation was particularly precarious as Barr had work-related propane equipment in his car. He noted that the propane tank exploded approximately half a minute after the fire ignited.

No injuries were reported. However, even after the fire was put out, Barr was left with the charred remains of his vehicle, having lost not just his car but essential tools and personal items.

Feeling emotional, he shared, “I just got the car two weeks ago and saved around $2,000 on shipping. This is surreal. I’m still in shock.” He estimated the damages to be close to $12,000 and mentioned he didn’t have comprehensive insurance for reimbursement.

In light of his losses, Barr has created a GoFundMe page to help cover the expenses.

Despite the incident, Nagyris, who is known as the “Cosmic Nymph,” has a background in fire performance and art, which adds an ironic twist to the narrative.

Barr candidly remarked on the situation, labeling Nagyris as “a danger to society.” It’s worth noting that records show she has had multiple encounters with law enforcement, facing various charges including assault and disorderly conduct. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.