Man Sentenced for Setting Cobb County House Fire That Killed Two People and Eight Animals, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 4, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – A Cobb County jury has convicted 32-year-old Robert Colt Smith of two counts of felony murder and first-degree arson for setting a deadly house fire that claimed the lives of 52-year-old Andrea Nall and 74-year-old Michelle Lacroix. Smith was also found guilty of aggravated battery and aggravated assault for a brutal attack on Nall’s daughter prior to the fire.
Superior Court Judge Kellie Hill sentenced Smith to two life terms plus an additional 20 years in prison.
“This case is a tragic reminder of how domestic violence can escalate to devastating consequences,” said District Attorney Sonya F. Allen. “Because of the tireless efforts of law enforcement and our prosecution team, this dangerous individual will never harm anyone again.”
The case stems from a series of violent incidents involving Smith and his then-girlfriend, 19-year-old Carolyn Parmalee. On February 14, 2022, Smith viciously assaulted Parmalee, leaving her with severe injuries including swollen-shut eyes and a shoe print on her face. Though arrested and released on bond with a no-contact order, Smith managed to manipulate Parmalee into resuming the relationship.
Parmalee was hospitalized twice more in early 2023 due to further assaults. After the third incident, her mother, Andrea Nall, sought to have Smith’s bond revoked for violating the court order.
Shortly after learning of this, on March 12, 2023, Smith returned to the family’s Austell home on Janet Lane. He brought cans of spray paint, which he used as an accelerant to ignite a Honda CRV parked under the home’s carport. The vehicle exploded into flames, which quickly spread to the house.
Inside the home were Andrea Nall, her mother Michelle Lacroix, and eight pets. All died from smoke inhalation as the fire consumed the house.
“These two mothers opened their home to protect their family from abuse,” said Senior Assistant District Attorney Jared Horowitz. “But instead of showing remorse, this defendant used fire as a weapon of revenge. Justice was delivered today, and his reign of terror ends here.”
District Attorney Allen also extended her thanks to the Cobb County Police Department, Cobb County Emergency Services, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and everyone involved in securing the conviction.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 4, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
