Dad's 'lame' coverup blasted after killing wife in house fire that kids escaped

25 June 2023 , 11:38

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Carlos Montalvo-Rivera, 55, has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison, 13 years after he set his own house on fire, resulting in the death of his wife (Image: WGAL)

A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison after setting his own house on fire, killing his wife while his three children escaped.

Carlos Montalvo-Rivera, now 55, was convicted of first-degree murder, arson, and three counts of attempted criminal homicide for the incident 13-years-ago.

During his sentencing, the judge strongly criticized Montalvo-Rivera's attempt to cover up his crime with what he called a "lame" story.

The defendant had claimed that intruders had broken into his home, killed his wife, Olga Sanchez-Reyes, and set the house on fire.

He claimed intruders had broken into his home, killed his wife, Olga Sanchez-Reyes, and set the house on fire (WGAL)

However, the judge dismissed his fabricated account, stating, "The lame story you concocted and continued to hold onto simply didn't hold any water."

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Prosecutors provided damning evidence that proved Montalvo-Rivera's guilt and revealed the true extent of his cold-blooded actions.

Assistant District Attorney Christine Wilson said: "This was an absolutely brutal and heinous crime that involved multiple victims. It was a cold-blooded murder. Even though the defendant refuses to admit accountability for his actions, he's been found guilty by a jury of his peers" she said.

The incident occurred in December 2010 when Montalvo-Rivera poured gasoline from the stairs to his wife's bedroom and set the house ablaze.

Thanks to a neighbour, the children survived the fire (WGAL)

At the time, their three children, aged eight, nine, and 13, were still inside on the third floor.

Miraculously, the children managed to escape through a door on the first floor and made their way to the rooftop, where a neighbour climbed up and brought them to safety.

Following the fire, Montalvo-Rivera's eight- and nine-year-old daughters were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The 13-year-old son also required medical treatment.

During the trial, it was revealed that Montalvo-Rivera had tied himself up in an attempt to deceive investigators.

Lucy Williamson