Hollywood woman cops say was set ablaze by roommate faces long recovery: ‘I don’t feel like myself’

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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — A Hollywood woman who police say was set on fire by her roommate is sharing her story publicly for the first time.

Rachel Price said she’s living in pain every day from the March 17 attack.

“It still hasn’t hit me, to be honest,” she said.

Price tells Local 10 News that her life has dramatically changed. She said simple things like eating or talking on the phone are hard to do.

“My face has second- and third-degree burns and I don’t feel like myself,” Price said. “I have to stay out of the sun for at least a year and take numerous medications to get better.”

Police said Price got into an argument with roommate Kymesha Tarpley, 48, who stormed out and came back with a gasoline canister. Price then questioned her.

“What are you planning on doing with it, and if you are going to do anything with it, go ahead and do it,” Price said she told Tarpley. “So, at that point she tossed the gasoline on me that was in the gas can and threw the lighter on me and set me on fire and watched me burn.”

A fire marshal who lives in the apartment below heard Price screaming, smelled smoke and jumped into action, grabbing a fire extinguisher and running upstairs.

“I hope to run into him soon and thank him for saving my life,” Price said.

Tarpley, initially charged with battery and arson, is now facing an attempted murder charge. Her charges were upgraded on Tuesday.

“Honestly, I just want to know why,” Price said. ”I’ve never had no ill will toward her.”

Amid a long road to recovery, GoFundMe page has been set up for Price to help her pay for medical expenses and physical therapy.

“I’m not the one to ask for help, but if you are able to help, thank you,” she said.

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About The Author
Sanela Sabovic

Sanela Sabovic

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.