Woman who set self afire in busy US mall dies

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2009/August/international_August1393.xml§ion=international

19 August 2009 MIAMI — A 42-year-old woman who set herself on fire at a Miami shopping mall died less than a week after the shocking scene, police said.

Cecilia E. Casals died Tuesday. Police say Casals covered herself in flammable liquid, set it ablaze and walked about until witnesses used two fire extinguishers to put out the flames.

Police wouldn’t divulge any other details Wednesday, the Miami Herald reported.

Authorities found Casals unconscious on Aug. 13, with third-degree burns over 75 percent of her body, and airlifted her to a hospital. She was on fire about two-and-a-half minutes. snip

Witnesses said Casals was in a clothing store called Savage Boutique when it happened. Jose Morales, 24, said he was about to pay for earrings for his girlfriend at a nearby kiosk when he heard screams and thought someone had fallen.

[hlthe2b]

1. Interesting that they won't reveal any more about her...

By now, they have to know something about her family, her life, her troubles.....:shrug:

Poor wretched woman. What a horrible way to die.

[me b zola]

2. Despair is a wicked thing

I hope that she is at peace.

[imdjh]

3. Woman who set herself on fire had history of mental illness

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/1187067.html

BY JENNIFER LEBOVICH
[email protected]
The woman who set herself on fire Thursday at the Mall of the Americas had a history of mental illness and had been convicted of trafficking prescription drugs, according to her husband and court records.

Miami-Dade police identified the woman as Cecilia E. Casals, 42, of North Miami Beach. They are continuing their investigation, but it's unclear what, if any, charges she may face for attempting suicide at the crowded mall.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Casals was part of a ``scheme that acted as an illegal pharmacy and resold HIV medications"

My sympathy for this woman is tempered by a bit of contempt.