MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Who was Steven Amenhauser? Strangers set up $8,000 fundraiser for lonely man after teens, 16 and 14, set him on fire

53-year-old Amenhauser, who was adopted and orphaned, was doused with a flammable liquid by two teenagers, 16 and 14 years of age.

Rochester, New York: 53-year-old Steven Amenhauser stayed alone at his apartment in Rochester, New York, ever since his longtime girlfriend passed away in October last year. He had lost his wife many years ago. Adopted as a child and orphaned later, Texas native Amenhauser had no biological family or relatives to stay in touch with.

Amid his declining health and 'vulnerable' state, the lonesome Rochester resident was brutally murdered by two local teenagers who set him on fire on March 12, 2021, reports Democrat & Chronicle.

Now, a well-wisher Danielle Kyper has set up a GoFundMe for a dignified funeral and burial for Amenhauser, who do not have any family or friends to mourn his death. Even the investigating police officer Captain Frank Umbrino from Rochester Police Department, was emotional while revealing details about his tragic death. 

READ MORE

Who is Reynaldo Figueroa-Ardon? Illegal immigrant pulls trigger on NJ cop 3 times but stolen gun fails to fire

Who was Stavian Rodriguez? Oklahoma teen robbery suspect shot dead by cops, 5 officers charged with manslaughter

"The reason I'm telling you a little bit about him, is because there's nobody else to speak for him," said Umbrino, reports Spectrum News ROC. 

What a horrific crime!

The Internet has been sharing condolence messages about Steven Amenhauser and users are even contributing generously to the fundraiser. "Steven Amenhauser, the man set on fire, lost his wife years ago. His longtime girlfriend died in October 2020. He was adopted and had no biological family that could be reached at the time of his death. What a horrific crime," a user wrote, while another added, "I'm glad we've found out his name so he can be remembered."

"I and @news10nbc have received multiple requests from people wanting to contribute to and attend the funeral of Steven Amenhauser, the man who was set on fire and died. RPD says Amenhauser has no family. (1/1)," tweeted journalist Berkeley Brean. "You won’t see this on the National News!!! Help with funding for Steven Amenhauser Burial," another user appealed.

Who killed Steven Amenhauser?

16-year-old Zayvion Perry and 14-year-old Adriel Riley Jr, two teenage boys from the same neighborhood, have been charged with arson and murder for the horrific crime against Amenhauser. While the Rochester Police Department is yet to confirm a motive behind the crime, the police revealed that Amenhauser was doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire while sitting on a chair inside his apartment.

He succumbed to his burn injuries at the hospital on Tuesday at 4 am, reports DailyMail. 

It has come to light that Adriel Riley Jr, the younger one of the perpetrators, was already on the police records for earlier crimes like robbery. In September last year, he was charged with robbing a deaf man at knifepoint in Chili Avenue. He was arrested again in December after being released because of his age. In January, he was caught in a stolen car at around 1:15 am, but released from detention again under New York's Raise of Age laws.

His mother and father were ticketed on two separate occasions for endangering the welfare of the child, including the time when his mother left him unsupervised in a rented hotel room in Gates.