A mother of two had to give testimony in her own trial for murder after her former partner poured petrol on her and set her on fire, in a shocking and tragic turn of events.

Judy Malinowski, who had a happy childhood, faced a battle with opiate addiction before her untimely death at 33 due to severe injuries sustained from the brutal attack. Initially a beauty pageant contestant, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at a young age, leading to a series of health struggles.

Despite overcoming the cancer initially, Judy’s health deteriorated when the disease returned in her early twenties. Following a hysterectomy, she became addicted to opiates during her recovery, exhausting her health insurance coverage and resorting to street drugs like heroin.

Supported by her family through her addiction, Judy’s life took a dark turn when she met Michael Slager, who would later become her assailant. Their relationship, initiated on social media, spiraled into a nightmare as Slager, with a criminal past, supplied drugs to Judy despite not using them himself, reigniting her addiction.

The tragic incident occurred on August 2, 2015, near a petrol station, where Slager set Judy on fire during a confrontation. Despite severe burns covering 90% of her body, Judy miraculously survived and was hospitalized, although her condition was critical.

While Slager claimed the act was accidental, investigations revealed it was intentional. Judy, fighting for her life, underwent multiple surgeries and emerged from a coma months later, recording a poignant video testimony implicating Slager in her ordeal. Tragically, she passed away in June 2017 at the age of 33, leaving behind two daughters.

In a groundbreaking legal move, Judy’s video testimony was used in her murder trial, leading to Slager receiving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in 2018.

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