Arvada Man Found Guilty Of Setting Girlfriend On Fire At Campsite

CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, CO — A Clear Creek County jury found a 34-year-old man guilty of dousing his girlfriend with gasoline and lighting her on fire in front of her children at a mountain campsite.

John Vasquez, of Arvada, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Christina Archuleta-Blasier.

Vasquez, who had a history of domestic violence, allegedly argued with Archuleta-Blasier at a secluded campsite in the Arapahoe National Forest near Idaho Springs on June 17, 2016.

Prosecutors said her son saw Vasquez splashed her with fuel and then light her clothes on fire with a lighter, "laughing while she screamed." Sixty percent of her body was covered with third- and fourth-degree burns, and she died shortly thereafter.

Prosecutors said her two small children tried to protect their mother. A seven-year-old son was burned trying to put out the flames.

Vasquez told the police the fire was accidental. Vasquez had a previous domestic violence conviction in Arvada.

His conviction of first-degree murder means he'll face life in prison when sentenced in June.

Image via Clear Creek Co Sheriff's Office.