Mother and Daughter Accused of Plotting to Murder Woman in Carrollton Fire

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 08/10/2012

Mother and Daughter Accused of Plotting to Murder Woman in Carrollton Fire NOPD officers have arrested one woman today and have issued an arrest warrant for that woman’s daughter for the roles they played in the burning death of a Carrollton woman. 53-year-old Alice Wright was booked yesterday with Second Degree Murder after allegedly conspiring with her daughter, 23-year-old Tytesha Wright, to burn to death 57-year-old Cynthia Houston in her home last Friday.  Flames broke out in Houston’s house in the 8100-block of Apricot Street early on the morning of August 3rd.  New Orleans firefighters put out the fire, and soon found Houston lying face down on the floor of her second floor bedroom. The autopsy report from the Coroner’s Office shows Houston died of fourth degree burns and smoke inhalation. Detectives soon learned that another person- Tytesha Wright- had been injured in the fire, and that her mother had driven her to Ochsner Hospital.  Tytesha suffered third degree burns on her back, and after a brief stay at Ochsner, was transported to the Burn Center in Baton Rouge.  Detectives went to Baton Rouge days later to interview Tytesha Wright, who was something of a caretaker for Cynthia Houston, as she suffered with some medical problems.   Tytesha told them that on August 2nd- the day before the fire- Houston asked her if she had stolen her debit card and withdrawn all of her money from her bank account.  She said Houston explained that the next day, she had an appointment with bank representatives to review surveillance video of a person who used her card to get cash from an ATM.  Tytesha Wright admitted to detectives that she did steal money from Houston, but she said she did not set her on fire.  Instead, Wright said the morning Houston was killed, Wright was at the house on Apricot Street, and got into an argument with an unknown man from whom she had purchased crack cocaine.  She said she tased the man because she felt threatened, turned to leave the house, and soon felt that her back was on fire.  That’s when Wright says she ran to her mother’s car outside the residence, and her mother started to drive her to the hospital.  The 2 women became lost, and called an ambulance to pick them up from their location. After interviewing Alice Wright today, investigators placed her under arrest, and booked her with Second Degree Murder.  They also advised her that there was a warrant issued for the arrest of her daughter, Tyesha, for the same charge of Second Degree Murder.  At this time Tyesha Wright is still being treated for severe burns at the Baton Rouge Burn Center.  “Investigators worked tirelessly on this case, conducting interviews, collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance tapes, etc. until they were satisfied they had obtained all of the facts and could make a strong case against these suspects”, said Superintendent Ronal Serpas.  “To be able to come to this conclusion in a week’s time, demonstrates just how dedicated our homicide detectives are to the people of New Orleans”, Serpas said. Tytesha Wright has been arrested previously for the following; illegal possession of a Firearm During a Crime, Possession of Cocaine, Distribution of marijuana, Crack Distribution, Drug Paraphernalia, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile, Extortion, Battery, Theft, Possession of Stolen Property.  Her mother Alice Wright has been previously arrested for Driving While Intoxicated in 2001.  Her photo is on the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office website.                                                             # # # Contact:  Remi Braden rabraden@nola.gov