Girlfriend dies after boyfriend sets her on fire

A 60-year-old woman died nearly two weeks after her boyfriend allegedly set his girlfriend on fire in their South Carolina home. The attack left her with severe injuries that she could not survive. Authorities are now treating the case as a domestic violence incident.

Girlfriend suffered severe burns

Michele Gillis suffered third-degree burns on her upper body and face. Her boyfriend, Harry Wolfe, allegedly threw gasoline on her and lit a match while she sat inside their home in Edisto on February 8. The burns were extensive and required immediate medical attention. Despite doctors’ efforts, she did not recover. She fought for her life for almost two weeks but passed away on February 20.

Suspect threatened the victim

According to the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), Gillis told authorities that Wolfe walked into the living room and said he was “going to get her.” He then poured gasoline on his girlfriend and set her on fire. This was not an accident. It was an intentional act of violence. Reports also suggest that Wolfe had been abusive before. This was not the first time he had hurt her. Domestic violence often escalates, and this case had a tragic ending.

Wolfe fled but got into an accident

After the attack, Wolfe left the house. While escaping, he crashed into an emergency fire vehicle from the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety. He suffered injuries from the crash and was taken to MUSC Orangeburg Medical Center. His attempt to flee failed. Law enforcement quickly took him into custody. His injuries were treated, but he was soon transferred to jail.

Suspect later admitted to setting Gillis on fire. However, he claimed he did not intend to kill her. His confession does not change the severity of his actions. He deliberately set her on fire, knowing the harm it would cause. According to a police report obtained by WIS 10, Gillis had mentioned that Wolfe was violent in the past. This raises concerns about why girlfriend remained in the relationship. Many domestic violence victims feel trapped. They often fear for their safety if they try to leave. Sadly, for Gillis, there was no escape.

Victim’s son speaks out

Gillis’ son, Terrance Bottoms, said Wolfe called his aunt and admitted to setting his mother on fire. This confession adds to the horror of the crime. Bottoms and his family were desperate for answers. They wanted to understand what had happened. He told WIS 10 that they kept asking investigators for information. At first, all they knew was that suspect had called his aunt and confessed. The full details only came out through news reports. Bottoms also expressed his belief that this was not an isolated incident. He said, “One time is too much. If he did this, he had to have been violent with her before.”

Case treated as domestic violence

Authorities are treating the case as domestic violence. Wolfe was arrested and is currently in jail without bond. This means he will remain behind bars until his trial. Domestic violence cases like this highlight the dangers of abusive relationships. Many victims suffer in silence. Some do not survive. Gillis’ death is a tragic reminder of the consequences of unchecked abuse. It is unclear if Wolfe has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. The OCSO has not yet responded to media inquiries. The investigation continues.