Investigators Have Name & Face for Suspected Arsonist Who Left Notes at Fresno Homes

By Edward Smith

Published 11 months ago on

June 14, 2024

The Fresno Fire Department suspects 32-year-old Ramona Leal of starting at least four fires at homes and leaving handwritten notes on them. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

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Fresno Fire Department investigators have identified a woman whom they think left handwritten notes at homes before lighting them on fire.

Fresno Fire Department investigators suspect 32-year-old Ramona Leal of starting fires at least four homes and leaving handwritten notes at each of them. (Fresno Fire Department)

Investigators have an active warrant for the arrest of 32-year-old Ramona Leal related to a series of arson fires in northwest, northeast, and southwest Fresno.

Leal is suspected of posting hand-written notes on homes, then using gasoline to ignite the fires.

The fire department thinks at least four homes have burned this way.

Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1. Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP (7867). The Fresno Fire Department Arson hotline is 559-621-ARSN (2767).

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Edward Smith,

Multimedia Journalist

Edward Smith began reporting for GV Wire in May 2023. His reporting career began at Fresno City College, graduating with an associate degree in journalism. After leaving school he spent the next six years with The Business Journal, doing research for the publication as well as covering the restaurant industry. Soon after, he took on real estate and agriculture beats, winning multiple awards at the local, state and national level. You can contact Edward at 559-440-8372 or at Edward.Smith@gvwire.com.