Court documents obtained by the Gazette reveal additional details about the investigation into the Highland Lakes fire that burned 166 acres northwest of Divide and caused over 700 households to be evacuated last year.

Lacey Tillitt, 77, was arrested on Jan. 16 for allegedly starting the Highland Lakes fire on Oct. 28, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. 

In Tillitt’s arrest affidavit, the woman allegedly told investigators she had been burning carboard boxes inside her house in her wood-burning stove. When she opened the oven to burn more material, the flames escaped, lighting the couch on fire. 

Tillitt told law enforcement that she tried to put the couch fire out, but was unsuccessful. 

During law enforcement’s investigation, they discovered the “estranged” relationship Tillitt had with her insurance company and learned the residence was set to foreclose, according to the arrest affidavit. 

Foreclosure faced at home believed to be origin of Highland Lakes fire, documents reveal

The 77-year-old had previously claimed her house had water damage among other things, insurance records show. She had several recorded conversations between December 2022 and May 2023 with her insurance provider that were “cordial” and mainly focused on seeking help with her claims. 

Other records law enforcement obtained from her insurance provider, American National Insurance revealed Tillitt’s plan had then been canceled in May 2023. 

In the cancelation notice, the insurance company claimed the home was a fire hazard due to the unmanaged vegetation and debris throughout the property. 

After the cancelation of her plan however, law enforcement says Tillitt started to become more “irate” during conversations with American Nationa.

In recorded phone calls with her insurance company, court documents allege Tillitt threatened suicide if the issues with her house were not resolved.

Alleged Highland Lakes fire starter has history of mental illness concerns, made threats

During several other recorded conversations between Tillitt and American National on Feb. 12. 2024, police allege she made “approximately seven statements of setting her residence on fire.”

The Arrest affidavit includes transcripts of several scenarios Tillitt described to the insurance company, as a means to end her life “thanks to American National.”

On May 31, 2024, a Teller County Sheriff’s Office deputy called Tillitt to “check on her welfare.” A few minutes into the conversation, the deputy reported she told him “I’m okay, unless you see my house burning.” She allegedly switched topics shortly after making the statement. 

Between June 10 and 17, the court documents allege Tillitt called American National over 30 times and was “irate” during most of the conversations in which she demanded work to be done on her home. 

Tillitt make several more phone calls into American National over the next several weeks, becoming “hysterical” at times. Despite being directed to write a physical claim, she continued to call, according to the arrest affidavit. 

On Aug. 22, the 77-year-old called again trying to figure out the physical location of her claims adjuster. Prior investigations revealed the claims adjuster had a restraining order filed against Tillitt after she confronted him in Missouri. 

In the days leading up to Oct. 28, the day the fire broke out, Tillitt allegedly called several times “claiming she was going to die.” Tillitt is described as being hysterical, yelling and screaming in these calls according to the arrest affidavit. 

The day after the fire broke out, Tillitt called American National, informing them her house had burnt down. Investigations revealed her home was originally set for foreclosure on Sept. 9, but kept getting delayed until Oct. 30, two days before the fire started. 

The investigators with the Teller County Sheriff’s Office says their review of the recorded phone calls and documents obtained by American National, provide enough probable cause to arrest Tillitt, claiming she “knowingly and recklessly set fire to her residence.”

Jail records show that Tillitt was booked in the Teller County jail on Jan. 16 and faces a $50,000 bond to be released. As of Thursday, she remains in jail, facing fourth degree arson charges. Her first appearance in court is scheduled for Feb. 3.