Anthony Yates
Authorities have sentenced a woman from Texas to six years behind bars after she reportedly set a church ablaze in Seattle. District Judge Jamal Whitehead blasted the incident as “devastating and dangerous.”
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What happened: According to a press release by the Western District of Washington United States Attorney’s Office (USAO), authorities arrested 34-year-old Natasha Marie O’Dell in August 2024. Authorities sentenced her on September 4, 2025.
- The release reveals that O’Dell pleaded guilty to “Arson, Damage to Religious Property and Obstruction of Persons in the Free Exercise of Religious Beliefs,” in April 2025. She reportedly poured more than a gallon of gasoline on the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church in Snohomish County, Washington. O’Dell then lit the fuel with a lighter.
- The blaze caused over $3.2 million in property damage. “This conduct put anyone inside the church, the neighbors around the church, and the firefighters who responded in extreme danger,” Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller said. “It is fortunate that only one firefighter suffered injuries.” The extent of the firefighter’s injuries remains unclear, but he was transported to the emergency room.
Authorities Tracked Down The Texas Woman Using Cell And Credit Card Records
A paper trail: The press release reveals that authorities tracked down O’Dell after the blaze with her phone and card records. The fire destroyed the church, but part of the security system reportedly caught her moving around the building with a red gasoline container.
- Investigators tied O’Dell to the crime as she bought the gasoline and lighter from a nearby service station. She then took an Uber to the church. Authorities note that the flames destroyed the surveillance camera, but it detected her before it caught fire.
- The footage reportedly shows her dousing the building in fuel before moving out of range. Flames enveloped the area shortly after.
- O’Dell reportedly told several acquaintances she was angry about churches. She more specifically named the Seattle Laestadian Lutheran Church (SLLC). Since the incident, SLLC has incurred more costs operating from a nearby middle school.
- The news release also points out that O’Dell was staying with relatives in Woodinville, Washington, at the time. Judge Whitehead will determine how much O’Dell owes in damages at a later date.
