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Between Jan. 26 and Feb. 4, 2026, Jovan Lamar Duverne allegedly set fires at 10 locations in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES — A 39-year-old man has been charged with two murders and multiple counts of felony arson after allegedly setting a series of fires across Hollywood, including a blaze at a home that killed two elderly sisters.

“Setting fires anywhere is reckless and extraordinarily dangerous, but deliberately igniting multiple fires in a residential community shows a shocking disregard for human life,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “We allege this defendant went on a dangerous arson spree across Hollywood that ultimately claimed the lives of two elderly sisters inside their home. Our hearts are with their loved ones as they mourn this devastating loss. When someone sets fires that endanger lives and destroy a community’s sense of safety, my office will pursue the most serious charges available and seek justice for the victims.”

Jovan Lamar Duverne (dob 8/3/86) is charged in case 26CJCF01508 with two counts of murder and 11 counts of felony arson. He faces a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, as well as sentence enhancements related to a prior arson conviction, including a second-strike allegation.

Duverne’s arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. He is being held without bail.

Between Jan. 26 and Feb. 4, 2026, Duverne allegedly set fires at 10 locations in Hollywood, using a handheld torch-style lighter. He then allegedly walked between locations lighting rubbish and attempting to enter buildings.

On Feb. 4, 2026, around 2 a.m., Duverne allegedly set fire to a residence, which resulted in the deaths of two sisters, Maria Del Consuelo Alarcon-Valdez, 76, and Yolanda Honda, 82. Duverne was arrested later that day near Hollywood Boulevard and Wilton Place.

If convicted as charged, Duverne faces up to death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on the death penalty will be made at a later date.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec of the Arson and Explosives Section and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, with assistance from the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s Arson Counter Terrorism Section.

The charges in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.