HARRISBURG, Pa. – A woman in Dauphin County has been found guilty of second-degree murder, aggravated arson, and arson in connection with the death of her 84-year-old husband, Carmen Henderson, in June 2022.
Evelyn Henderson, 68, was convicted by a jury after just 45 minutes of deliberation. The case unfolded after Carmen Henderson’s charred body was discovered on the back patio of the couple’s home.
Initially, Evelyn Henderson told authorities that she believed her husband had taken his own life. However, investigators uncovered inconsistencies in her account, leading to further scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding Carmen Henderson’s death.
Further investigation revealed that the Hendersons were deeply in debt, owing at least $40,000 on a second mortgage. Evelyn Henderson confessed to using their funds on lavish expenses like vacation homes and spa treatments, which ultimately led to the bankruptcy of their business, Henderson Limousine Service.
Additionally, the couple was reportedly behind on their taxes, facing the imminent seizure of their home by the sheriff’s office. Evelyn Henderson confessed that she had a $10,000 life insurance policy on her husband, adding another layer of suspicion to the case.
Authorities also noted that Evelyn Henderson changed her story multiple times, ultimately settling on a narrative where she claimed to have witnessed her husband on fire but delayed calling for help – a sequence of events that raised doubts among investigators.
The Dauphin County Fire Investigation Team further discredited Evelyn Henderson’s claim that Carmen Henderson may have accidentally started the fire, stating it was “improbable” that he was responsible.
Evelyn Henderson is now awaiting sentencing, scheduled to take place in approximately 45 days. The trial’s swift conclusion and the startling revelations about the Hendersons’ financial troubles have shocked the community, shedding light on the tragic circumstances surrounding Carmen Henderson’s death.