Gary Nawrocki of Palm Beach, Florida was arrested on January 5 and is facing homicide charges for the death of Kristi Jo Hook. Hook, 45, was severely injured in December 2015 after an explosion in her home burned 60 percent of her body.
Nawrocki, 46, was reportedly with Hook at the time of the explosion and failed to take her to a hospital for treatment. He faces arson and homicide charges. His bail was set at $120,000 by Palm Beach County Judge Caroline Shepherd. News sources did not name an attorney for Nawrocki.
According to the arrest report, Hook’s burns were caused by an explosion in a methamphetamine lab she built together with Nawrocki in a home she leased beyond the Palm Beach Gardens city limits. She had reportedly told her family members that she was making the drug to earn quick cash for Christmas.
After the explosion occurred, Nawrocki allegedly drove Hook to some friends instead of taking her to a hospital. The unidentified friends reportedly told investigators that they insisted Nawrocki take Hook to to a doctor, but he purportedly said they would get in more trouble if they sought medical attention.
The friends also told police that Hook appeared to want to be taken to a hospital but didn’t want to argue with Nawrocki. After 30 minutes, Nawrocki finally drove Hook to St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital and was later pronounced dead. The cause of death was deemed to be an accident.
Nawrocki also reportedly suffered some burns, but he refused to tell hospital personnel how he received them. Approximately 15 percent of his body was covered in burns and investigators claim to have found human fluid and skin in his car.
When questioned about the explosion, Nawrocki allegedly lied to police about where it happened and told them that it occurred in Martin County. He also purportedly lied to Hook’s family about the nature of the explosion and told them that Hook was burned after lighting a cigarette while he was working on a motorbike.