Md. woman dies after being set on fire

A 37-year-old woman who was set on fire last month in the woods in Laurel died Thursday at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Howard County Police said.

Pamela Myers, of no fixed address in Laurel, had been in critical condition since she was attacked on Oct. 23.

Richard Rodola, 48, of no fixed address in Laurel, was charged with attempted murder, first degree assault and arson.

Investigators said they believe Myers was involved in a relationship with Rodola and that the two were living in a wooded area near Gorman Road.

On 2:45 p.m Oct. 23, a witness called county police and reported that a man had set a woman on fire in the woods. The witness, also believed to be homeless, had run to a nearby Weis store to make the call, police said.

Police and fire personnel found the woman in the woods. She was taken to Bayview with severe burns.

Officers spotted Rodola on Greenwood Place around 5 p.m. the same day and arrested him, they said. He is being held without bond in the Howard County Detention Center.