Father Of Girls Killed In 2011 Christmas Day Fire Dies; Charity Says
A charity started by a man whose three daughters were killed in a Connecticut fire on Christmas morning in 2011 says he has died at the age of 51.
Watch CBS News
A charity started by a man whose three daughters were killed in a Connecticut fire on Christmas morning in 2011 says he has died at the age of 51.
Michael Borcina's lawyer said Thursday that Borcina will cooperate in the lawsuit filed by the children's father, Matthew Badger.
On Christmas Day in 2011, fire ravaged Madonna Badger's home in Stamford, Connecticut. Her three little girls -- 9-year-old Lily, and 7-year-old twins Sarah and Grace -- became trapped and died. Her parents also died in the inferno.
The fire in Stamford killed 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger, 9-year-old Lily Badger, and their maternal grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson.
Clutching a bouquet of white flowers, smiling from ear to ear, Badger proves life can go on, even after enduring the unimaginable.
In a Vogue magazine article, Madonna Badger details how she continues to cope with the loss of her 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah, 9-year-old Lily and her parents.
The city of Stamford has since passed a law requiring working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for every home in the city.
Badger said that the bag of ashes didn't seem dangerous because her boyfriend, Michael Borcina, ran his hands over them before putting them on top of a plastic bin in a mudroom.
In the report that was released Friday online, Stamford State's Attorney David Cohen called the blaze "an inexplicable accident."
The mother of the three children killed in a Christmas morning fire has filed a notice of intent to sue the city of Stamford, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported. Her parents were also killed in the fire.
Utica First Insurance Co. argues in a lawsuit filed this week in New York that Michael Borcina misrepresented the number of employees with his company, Tiberias Construction, its sales and payroll, and size and type of work performed.
It's difficult for Matthew Badger to deal with the loss of his three darling daughters, but he's turning his heartbreak into hope by helping other young children.
Three sisters and their grandparents died in the fire. The girls' mother, Madonna Badger and her boyfriend Michael Borcina, survived. Investigators determined the fire was started by improperly discarded fireplace embers.
In January, officials in Connecticut were scrutinizing the circumstances of the blaze, trying to determine if it was just a horrible accident or a crime.
Was it just a horrible accident, or a crime? That's what police and prosecutors were trying to figure out Friday in Connecticut as they began putting the horrendous Christmas Day fire under a legal microscope.
As Stamford police investigate, they're trying to answer a key question: were battery-operated smoke alarms and several fire extinguishers removed from the home sometime before the fire?
Michael Borcina and homeowner Madonna Badger were the only survivors of the blaze.
Police and fire officials say they agreed to give Madonna Badger and Michael Borcina time to mourn the loss of Badger's daughters and parents. Police Capt. Richard Conklin says, "But now we're moving ahead on that.''
Lomer and Pauline Johnson are being honored at a memorial service in Louisville, Kentucky. Lomer worked there as a safety chief for a liquor company until he retired.
Madonna and Matthew Badger, the girls' father, held hands and cried as they watched the caskets carrying the remains of their three daughters get carried into St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Manhattan.
Madonna Badger, who lost her three daughters and both parents in the Christmas morning fire in Stamford, Conn., attended Wednesday's wake, along with the girls' father and the only other survivor of the tragedy, Badger's contractor.
Badger's parents Lomer and Pauline Johnson and daughters Lily, Grace and Sarah were all killed in a Christmas Day blaze.
Madonna Badger's three daughters and their grandparents all died in a Christmas Day blaze at her Stamford home, which was being renovated.
The family of the victims who died in the tragic Christmas day fire in Stamford are reaching out to the countless strangers who have been sending their condolences.
This morning the medical examiner's office released an autopsy report on the victims -- whose deaths were ruled accidental.
The woman convicted of killing another woman in a New York City apartment and stuffing her body into a duffel bag is expected to be sentenced Friday.
Kimberly McCreight, author of the 2024 Club Calvi Readers' Choice "Like Mother, Like Daughter," talks about her new book "Someone Else's Husband."
CBS News New York Investigates is looking into Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and the new work requirements in order to keep them.
Caleb Durbin broke a tie with a two-run homer in the fifth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 6-3 on Thursday night.
Pete Crow-Armstrong laced an RBI double in the 10th inning, powering the Cubs to a 4-3 victory Thursday night over the sinking Mets and a sweep of the four-game series.
The woman convicted of killing another woman in a New York City apartment and stuffing her body into a duffel bag is expected to be sentenced Friday.
CBS News New York Investigates is looking into Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and the new work requirements in order to keep them.
Fans gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday for limited-edition card marking 30 years of "Reasonable Doubt."
Victims of e-bike crashes are suing New York City over Mayor Zohran Mamdani's directive ending criminal enforcement of violations.
Elected officials are lauding the work of law enforcement in what is considered the largest gang takedown in Brooklyn history.
Monday's severe weather has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the system is leaving the area.
After a tranquil, warm weekend, more turbulent weather lies ahead in the New York City area.
Weather is tranquil and pleasant in the New York City area for Father's Day weekend as summer officially begins.
Dangerous heat is building across the Tri-State Area with the threat of severe storms, making Thursday and Friday First Alert Weather Days.
Thursday and Friday will be First Alert Weather Days in the New York City area, with high temperatures and the chance for strong storms.
Three semi-trucks erupted in flames after a crash that killed one on the NJ Turnpike during the Thursday morning commute.
Traffic will be impacted in Midtown Manhattan as the city initiates shuttle bus corridors and street closures to accommodate World Cup ticketholders.
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon says his city's $255 million budget shortfall was caused by the shortfalls of the previous administration.
The owner of a New Jersey diner says World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium have been bad for business.
Monday's severe weather has come and gone, but that doesn't mean the system is leaving the area.
A defense attorney made stunning new claims in court Wednesday about what may have sparked the fatal stabbing of a Massapequa man.
A defense attorney made stunning new claims in court Wednesday about what may have sparked the fatal stabbing of a Massapequa man. CBS News New York's Carolyn Gusoff reports.
All three candidates backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani were projected to win their Democratic primaries Tuesday night.
A woman, her mother and her daughter from Bayport were all indicted in connection with Jor'Dynn Duncan's death on Long Island.
There is a new kind of on-demand video messaging called "kosher cameos" that just launched on Long Island and it doesn't cost a thing.
CBS News New York Investigates is looking into Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and the new work requirements in order to keep them.
Victims of e-bike crashes are suing New York City over Mayor Zohran Mamdani's directive ending criminal enforcement of violations.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration can move forward with its efforts to strip more than 356,000 Syrian and Haitian immigrants of temporary protections.
New York City's Rent Guidelines Board voted Thursday night for a rent freeze, a decision that will impact millions of residents.
Jersey City Mayor James Solomon says his city's $255 million budget shortfall was caused by the shortfalls of the previous administration.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Justice Department from executing subpoenas in a criminal probe that sought transgender care records for patients treated at New York hospitals.
An off-duty EMT jumped into action at the Knicks parade Thursday when a man appeared to be suffering from an overdose.
New York broadcast giant Bill Ritter announced Friday he is stepping down from the WABC anchor desk after being diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's.
For half a century, The Valerie Fund has been dedicated to providing care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
A New Jersey nonprofit called The Valerie Fund is celebrating 50 years of providing comprehensive care to children with cancer and blood disorders.
Fans gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday for limited-edition card marking 30 years of "Reasonable Doubt."
There appear to be new clues about the location of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
When a large tent appeared next door to Taylor Swift's Watch Hill estate this week, it didn't take long for speculation about the superstar's impending nuptials to ripple through the affluent New England seaside village.
Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor were flying in a twin-motor Cessna 421 on Friday evening. An investigation into the crash is underway.
Caleb Durbin broke a tie with a two-run homer in the fifth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees 6-3 on Thursday night.
Pete Crow-Armstrong laced an RBI double in the 10th inning, powering the Cubs to a 4-3 victory Thursday night over the sinking Mets and a sweep of the four-game series.
The Chicago Cubs swept the reeling New York Mets with a 10-5 victory Wednesday night.
Paul Goldschmidt had two home runs and Jasson Domínguez hit a go-ahead, two-run shot in the sixth inning off Tarik Skubal, lifting the New York Yankees to a 4-2 series-winning victory over Detroit.
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit a three-run homer, Dansby Swanson also went deep and drove in four and the Cubs beat the Mets 9-6 on Tuesday night.
Fans gathered at the Brooklyn Public Library on Thursday for limited-edition card marking 30 years of "Reasonable Doubt."
After learning to swim in her 40s, one school leader is helping students gain life-saving skills.
Entrepreneurs in Brooklyn are reimagining laundry day as a social experience, turning neighborhood laundromats into gathering spaces.
Experts say the team's title run created a feeling of collective joy and connection, while some local businesses are also seeing a boost from the celebration.
Knicks fans who couldn't make it to Thursday's parade still found a way to celebrate across New York in true blue-and-orange fashion.
People dressed in elaborate headgear and paraded up Fifth Avenue for New York City's Easter Sunday tradition.
The Halloween tradition strolled through Manhattan's East Village on Sunday, with furry friends dressed in colorful costumes.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
The annual Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival was held in Manhattan on April 20, 2025.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
A romantic comedy musical is making deaf theater history in New Jersey. CBS News New York's Dave Carlin reports.
Howie, an 11-week-old puppy, will learn basic training and socialization from the Mets' staff, players and fans before being placed with a veteran or first responder.
At least 235 people were killed and some 4,300 injured by a pair of powerful earthquakes that rocked Venezuela Wednesday evening, officials said Thursday. CBS News' Jarred Hill reports.
CBS News New York's Luis Miguel Echegaray went to the historic Fraunces Tavern in Lower Manhattan to revel in the American pride during the World Cup.
A van and car collided, resulting in 11 people being taken to the hospital with minor injuries, according to fire officials.