Man Sought for Petersburg, Va. House Fire That Killed Toddler, Three Women

PETERSBURG - A man sought by police as a person of interest in an early Saturday morning house fire that killed four people has a protective order against him filed by a relative of the deceased.

The Petersburg Bureau of Police is investigating the incident as a possible homicide.

Alexander Roosevelt Hill Jr., 47, has been identified by police as a person of interest in connection with the investigation of the fire at 721 Harding St.

Hill is due in Circuit Court at 9 a.m. Wednesday to appeal the misdemeanor charge of making threatening calls to a woman living in the home on Dec. 19, 2013, according to court documents.

Hill is wanted by Petersburg authorities for violating a protective order, providing false information to police and assault. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

In addition to Petersburg, Hill has connections to Richmond, Newport News, Virginia Beach and Trinidad. In recent years, Hill has had variety of misdemeanor charges in Petersburg, Chesterfield, Hopewell and Colonial Heights.

A protective order filed by a woman against Hill on April 7 was extended Monday for 30 days, according to Petersburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court documents. Media reports said Hill didn't show up for a hearing on the protective order Monday. Court documents said a hearing on the protective order is scheduled for May 29.

A male relative confirmed the woman, his cousin, and Hill were dating. The woman lived with her family at the residence.

The woman who filed the protective order details her interactions with Hill in the document.

"Mr. Hill is and has repeatedly called my phone and said I hate you b***h and I'm going to get you," the woman wrote. "This man beat me badly ... [I] want Mr. Hill to leave me alone, and get on with my life."

The relative also confirmed the identities of the three women and 2-year-old boy who died in the fire, and their relationships: Vickie Ansar was the daughter of Pauline Wilkins, Tanique Chavis was Ansar's daughter and 2-year-old Delvari Chavis was Tanique Chavis' son.

Authorities have not officially released the identities of the victims pending positive identification from the medical examiner.

The relative said he told his cousin he felt that Hill could be dangerous.

"[It was] his attitude," he said.

He also said the family is hoping that Hill will soon be in custody.

"It's sickness what he did," he said. "That's all the family can do is pray and hope they catch them."

Dozens of friends and family gathered in front of the residence and around the 700 block of Harding Street on Monday. Many well wishers left flowers, stuffed bears and messages written on the house in white chalk.

The four bodies were discovered inside the house after the fire was extinguished. The investigation being conducted by the Petersburg Fire Department is ongoing.

Hill is described as being 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing 190 pounds. He has black hair and distinctive hazel eyes.

Anyone with information about Hill is asked to call Petersburg police at 732-4222 or call the nearest police department's 911 number. Callers can remain anonymous by calling Petersburg-Dinwiddie Crime Solvers at 804-861-1212 or sending text tips via telephone using the keyword "PDCASH" followed by the information and sending it to 274637.

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