Investigation Discovery’s “Love You to Death: Burning Betrayal” followed James Langley’s death in Norwalk (Conn.) in December 2006. The victim had suffered severe burns and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Based on witness testimony and evidence from the crime scene, the police suspected foul play and eventually caught the perpetrator. We have the information you need to identify the perpetrator if you are curious. Let’s get started, shall we?
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How Did James Langley Die?
James Langley married Mary Ann Langley. They lived together at 126 Woodward Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut. The Norwalk Police Department received a 911 report from neighbors reporting an individual burning case on December 14, 2006. Officers arrived on the scene around 5:00 AM to witness an unusual sight.
James was driving his car in an unorthodox manner in the driveway. Investigators approached the vehicle immediately. James told officers that he had sustained severe burns and needed immediate medical attention. The officers didn’t notice any fire at James’ residence then, so they inquired about the cause.
James quickly lifted his shirt, revealing extensive burn marks on his stomach and midsection. James was immediately rushed to the hospital by the emergency medical personnel. The severity of his burns sustained during treatment at the hospital led to his death.
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Who Killed James Langley
After James Langley was safely transported to the hospital and received treatment for his burns, the officers decided that they would investigate the source of the emergency burns. They found Mary in the Langleys’ backyard. After Mary gave her written consent, officers entered Mary’s home through the back door. They noticed an odor that was strongly reminiscent of gasoline. A single match was also found near the kitchen sink. There was also burnt carpeting in one bedroom.
After securing the crime scene investigators interviewed Mary. She agreed to answer questions about her husband’s fatal injuries. Although she confirmed that she and her husband were the only ones at home at the time of the accident, she denied any knowledge or responsibility for how it happened. Investigators began to notice inconsistencies and incoherence in the statements.
Although she initially claimed that she and James had only experienced sporadic marital difficulties, she later changed that assertion by saying that James was so bad that she wanted to stab her. Mary became very wary of James’ extramarital affair, which he was having since September 2004. Although she claimed that she and James had never fought over this issue, her neighbors and other family members disagreed.
The most important piece of evidence against Mary was her nephew and niece, Sheila Polite and Rodney Polite. They were their neighbors. They heard screams from the Langley in the early morning hours of December 14, 2006. They ran to Mary’s aid and were immediately woken by the sound. They entered the house to find James rubbing his stomach with a towel.
Rodney noticed that James’ stomach skin was melted and hanging off the wall, and the entire house smelled strongly of gasoline. Apparently, in extreme pain, James told Rodney that he was on fire and had been wincing since waking up. Rodney claimed that James had also said, “I understand what happened.” Ann set me on fire.” Sheila stated that James had said that he was asleep and that he saw Mary pour gasoline or some other liquid on him. Sheila also claimed that James told her that he “watched Mary pour the liquid on him and then light him on fire.”
Mary Ann Langley is still alive today.
The officers arrested Mary Ann Langley and charged her with murdering her husband, James Langley. A jury found her not guilty of first-degree murder, but she was convicted of the lesser charge of first-degree manslaughter. She was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in 2009. The judgment was overturned on appeal. According to official records, Mary Ann Langley, Cumming, Georgia, died on October 25, 2021.
