Overview
- Union County prosecutors on Dec. 10 charged William Ahle, 70, with first-degree murder, first-degree felony murder, first-degree burglary, and second-degree aggravated arson in the death of Virginia Cranwell, 82.
- Ahle was arrested Wednesday after an early-morning operation reported by neighbors and is being held at Middlesex County Jail pending his next court appearance.
- The Union County Medical Examiner ruled Cranwell’s death a homicide, and fire officials determined the July 25 blaze was an intentional act.
- Ahle previously told authorities he noticed the fire while walking his dog, entered the home in an attempt to help, and sustained serious burns that required hospital treatment.
- Prosecutors have not released a motive and asked anyone who spoke with Ahle about the incident to contact the Homicide Task Force; firefighters found Cranwell in a second-floor bedroom and pronounced her dead at the scene.