Landlady, set on fire, dies of injuries

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The landlord who was set on fire -- allegedly by the tenant who once called her "mom" -- has died as a result of her injuries, police said.

According to Ottawa County Sheriff Lt. Mark Bennett, Phanh Kim Le died on Sunday at 11:13 a.m. at Spectrum Health Butterworth in Grand Rapids.

Phanh, 53, was allegedly set on fire by tenant Davanh Phouangphet on Jan. 23 after the two quarreled -- apparently over loud music.

Phouangphet allegedly threw an accelerant on Phanh before setting her on fire, Bennett told 24 Hour News 8 on the day of the incident.

"When my bother it was somebody putting somebody on fire, it was my mind praying, that it wasn't Mom," said Phanh's daughter-in-law Tiara Gwynn.

Phanh was a grandmother -- she had a 3-year-old granddaughter. She visited the little girl on the Friday before the incident. That was the last time Phanh's family saw her.

Family members told 24 Hour News 8 Phanh often helped tenants find jobs.

"When you hurt somebody that bad -- especially somebody that's nice to you, giving you a place to stay, you know, helping you find a job, this and that, treating you like a son -- it's heart-breaking," said Gwynn. "He should get what he deserves."

Thong Phouangphet, the suspect's brother, also lived in the house with the two. He said on the day of the assault that he and Davanh called Phanh "mom" and said she was a "really nice lady."

Thong also said that his brother suffers from mental illness.

Charges against Phouangphet, who remains behind bars, were amended from assault with intent to murder to open murder on Monday. A new court date has not yet been set.

An autopsy for Phanh was also scheduled for Monday.

The family said the Phanh's funeral is scheduled for this week in Grand Rapids.

A fundraiser is being planned to help cover funeral costs. 24 Hour News 8 will bring you details on the fundraiser when they become available.

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24 Hour News 8's Crystal Hilliard contributed to this report.