St. Petersburg Teen Arrested for Fatal Coquina Key Arson That Killed 18-Year-Old Woman

Charles Chambliss III faces murder charges for a St. Petersburg arson that killed 18-year-old Angelina Anderson. His father is charged with tampering with evidence.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 10:51 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tampa Bay 28

Tragedy in the Coquina Key Neighborhood

A late-night arson attack in St. Petersburg has resulted in a transition from a fire investigation to a high-profile homicide case. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, 18-year-old Charles Chambliss III was arrested Wednesday in connection with a deadly fire that tore through a home on the 3000 block of Neptune Drive Southeast. The incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of March 22, claimed the life of 18-year-old Angelina Anderson. A second victim, 35-year-old Ashley Nero, remains in stable condition but continues to suffer from serious burn injuries sustained while fleeing the inferno.

Details of the Fatal March Twenty-Second Incident

Investigators allege that the violence began shortly after 3:30 a.m. when Chambliss set fire to a vehicle parked under the residence's carport. At the time the flames were ignited, four people were inside the home: Nero, her two sons—aged 11 and 17—and her sister, Anderson. While the two young boys managed to escape the structure without physical injury, the fire spread rapidly from the carport to the main living quarters. The St. Petersburg Police Department’s report indicates that Anderson was unable to recover from her injuries, turning the arson investigation into a felony murder case involving multiple counts of attempted murder for the survivors.

Suspect and Father Facing Felony Charges

The legal fallout from the fire extends to the suspect’s immediate family. Following the issuance of an arrest warrant, Charles Chambliss III turned himself in to authorities on April 1. He now faces one count of felony murder and three counts of attempted felony murder. Additionally, police have charged the suspect's father, Charles Chambliss Jr., with tampering with physical evidence. Detectives allege the elder Chambliss threw away clothing items in a dumpster behind a closed business, reportedly knowing the items were relevant to the ongoing investigation into his son’s actions.