A brave mother-of-two has passed away after a two-year long battle for her life after she was set on fire by her boyfriend.
Ohio woman Judy Malinowski was doused in petrol and set alight by her boyfriend Michael Slager in August 2015.
Judy was left with fourth and fifth degree burns to 90 percent of her body, and lost both ears, her hair and two fingers, PEOPLE reports. She underwent 59 operations to keep her alive.
Judy’s mother, Bonnie Bowes, confirmed the sad news that her daughter passed away on Tuesday. “That child suffered for two years to tell her own story, who has the strength to do it?” she said.
News.com.au reports that Slager, Judy’s fomer fiancé, claimed he had accidentally set her on fire while lighting a cigarette in Gahanna, Ohio. He was originally sentenced to 11 years in prison for aggravated arson, possession of criminal tools and assault, and will now face murder charges.
Judy—a former beauty queen—told NBC4i in December: “I never knew that a human being could be so evil. He just stood there and did nothing. The look in his eyes was pure evil.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or family violence, call 1800RESPECT, visit 1800RESPECT.org.au or Lifeline on 131 114. In an emergency, call 000.