Gary man charged with murder, arson in Portage apartment complex fire

A Gary man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 87-year-old Maria Leal in an apartment fire in Portage early Tuesday.

Leal's death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from arson, according to the Porter County Coroner's autopsy report. Porter County Coroner Cyndi Dykes ruled Leal's death a homicide.

Jesse Chabes, 51, has been charged with murder, murder with concurrent arson, arson and intimidation. He is being held without bail in the Porter County Jail.

Portage police had previously reported that a suspect in Leal's death was being held on other charges after he was found driving near the scene of the fire around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

During an argument between Leal's daughter, who lived in the apartment, and the younger woman, the younger woman's boyfriend threatened to burn down the apartment Monday night, police said.

Leal was found in the ground floor apartment after the fire was extinguished.

The fire was reported shortly after midnight Monday at the Swanson Court Apartments in the 3300 block of Willowdale Court.

Police are asking witnesses to report any suspicious activity in the area between 11 p.m. Monday and 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. Video footage would also be helpful. Police said they are also looking for information on a gray 2013 Jeep Patriot with paper license plates in the area. Anyone with information is asked to call Portage Detective Trent Howard at (219) 764-5675.

Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.