Motive unclear in domestic dispute that lead to fire

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Post a comment | E-mail this story | Print

Chris Hanney has been charged with attempted murder in the first degree after he allegedly lit his wife on fire.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Investigators sifted through ashes Wednesday looking for evidence after a fire destroyed a couple's Ruskin home after an apparent domestic dispute Tuesday.

Both Chris Hanney, 44, and his wife, Audrey, 26, who has serious burns to her body, are still at Tampa General Hospital in critical condition.

According to authorities, the husband allegedly poured accelerant on his wife and lit her on fire. He has been charged with attempted murder in the first degree.

"It's just so unreal. We only know him to be kind and generous and loving," said Chris Hanney's sister-in-law, Nicole Hanney, who is traveling to Tampa with Chris Hanney's brother. "And we just don't know what happened."

Chris Hanney's family says they have little information about the fire, and they say they aren't ready to comment on why he may have done this.

"We don't know the situation," Nicole Hanney said. "And we just want to come up there and see him and make sure he's okay -- make sure how Audrey is and the kids."

More Information

Audrey Hanney's mother says investigators told her that Chris Hanney stabbed himself nine times. It's unclear why he may have stabbed himself.

Chris Hanney is a TSA officer at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport. Before that he worked for the New York Police Department for 21 years.

He is a father of four. He has two teenagers from a previous marriage and two young children from his current wife, Audrey.

According to Audrey Hanney's mother, the couple's children are just 8 months and 4 years old. They are staying with a babysitter.

Neighbors say the two were having marital problems.

Bay News 9 confirmed that the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office responded to the couple's home in October for domestic violence. The charge was later dropped by the state attorney's office.

But it's still unclear what exactly led to the incident on Tuesday.

Be in the Know with Bay News 9 Now!

Get news, weather, and traffic alerts delivered directly to your computer desktop, e-mail, or cell phone with Bay News 9 Now.

Subscribe for free!

Valentine's Day

Do you have a romantic Valentine's Day story? Or a funny one? What about a nightmarish one? We want to hear them! Send them to us and we may use them in a story on BayNews9.com.