Murder, arson charges filed against Springfield man in connection with death of woman in house fire

(From the Springfield Police Department)

On September 21, 2020, at 10:33 p.m., the Springfield Fire Department and the Springfield Police Department were dispatched to 1736 W. Lombard for the report of a house fire.

When first responders arrived, the residence was engulfed in flames. Springfield Fire Department personnel entered the home and located a deceased female inside.

Circumstances surrounding the death of the female appeared to be suspicious. The Springfield Police Department, with assistance from the Springfield Fire Department, conducted a death investigation and determined the victim died from injuries not related to the fire. 

The victim was identified as Alice Hale, a 66-year-old female from Springfield, Missouri. Next of kin notifications have been made.

A suspect in the homicide was identified as Pavel Samsinak, a 46-year-old male from Springfield. On Wednesday, September 23, 2020, Samsinak was arrested by Springfield Police Officers.

On Thursday, September 24, 2020, the Greene County Prosecutors Office filed charges of second-degree murder, second-degree arson, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence. Samsinak is currently being held in the Greene County Jail without a bond. The Greene County Prosecutor’s Office cautions that the charges contained in the felony complaint are merely allegations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Detectives continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about this incident to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 417-869- TIPS (8477).

This marks the 19th violent death in Springfield in 2020. Fourteen of those have been determined to be Murder under the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) rules, one was classified as Negligent Manslaughter, and another was ruled justified after review by the Greene County Prosecutor. Three others, remain under investigation to determine the appropriate classification.