Linden man sentenced to 24 years for setting fire that killed sister and niece

A Linden man who set his family’s home on fire in 2023, killing his sister and 12-year-old niece, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of murder.

Acting Chief Justice Navindra Singh handed down the sentence on Wednesday, ordering that the terms run concurrently.

Uhalisi Moore, also known as “Akali” or “Ukali,” admitted in October to killing his sister, Cheryl Moore, 53, and niece, Eukeila Adams, in the August 14, 2023, fire that destroyed their home in Silvertown, Wismar. The 39-year-old was indicted under Section 100 (1)(c)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act for murder committed “in the course or furtherance of arson.” The case was prosecuted by attorneys Christopher Belfield, Simran Gajraj, and Geneva Wills.

According to the State, Moore lived with his relatives at Lot 112 Silvertown Second Street. On the night of the fire, family members were awakened by a noise and the smell of kerosene but initially dismissed it. Minutes later, they were overwhelmed by heat and smoke. Relatives jumped from the verandah to escape, only to realize that Cheryl and Eukeila were still trapped inside. Attempts by Phillip Moore to re-enter the burning house failed. Firefighters arrived around 12:30 a.m., but the home was already destroyed. Cheryl’s remains were found about an hour later, while Eukeila’s body was recovered nearly four hours after that.

In a video-recorded interview at the Wismar Police Station the following day, Moore confessed to setting the house on fire. He told investigators he had been hungry for two days and believed his siblings were ignoring him. He admitted moving his belongings out of the house first, then dousing the structure with gasoline or kerosene before igniting it. Relatives also reported that Moore had previously threatened to burn the house down.

Autopsies performed by Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh showed both victims suffered severe burns and carbonised organs. Soot in their airways confirmed they were alive and breathing when the fire began. Cheryl’s injuries included the loss of the upper portion of her head and brain and completely burnt eyes, while Eukeila’s legs and feet were missing, and her internal organs were extensively carbonised.

Prosecutors argued that Moore deliberately endangered his entire family as they slept, causing two deaths and destroying the home and lifelong possessions. They noted that the family remains displaced more than two years later. The State also emphasised that Moore’s removal of his belongings beforehand showed planning, while the use of fire as a weapon created immediate, widespread danger.

A prison report confirmed Moore has been in custody since August 2023. A probation report painted a complex picture: Moore had stable employment, strong community ties, and a Christian upbringing but struggled with mental instability, inconsistent medication, and substance use. Family members described Cheryl as loving and caring, and Eukeila—who had recently turned 12—as brilliant, ambitious, and devoted to church. Her father told the court he mourns deeply but forgives his brother, acknowledging Moore’s mental health struggles. Moore, a father of two, expressed profound remorse and a desire to apologise to his family.

Chief Justice Singh explained that the 24-year sentence was calculated from a 35-year baseline for each murder count, reduced by 11 years and eight months for Moore’s early guilty plea, and three years and four months for remorse. Four years were added due to the severe and lasting impact on surviving family members, resulting in the final concurrent 24-year term.