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Last suspect in 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone death sentenced to life on aggravated murder, arson charges
31-year-old Patricia Zarlingo was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole in 35 years in the death of 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone in January of 2023.
Friday, June 28th 2024, 11:57 AM EDT
Updated:

Patricia Zarlingo
31-year-old Patricia Zarlingo has taken a plea deal and agreed to plead guilty to several charges in the death of 16-year-old Chassidy Broadstone in January of 2023.
Zarlingo pleaded guilty to two counts each of aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, and aggravated arson, as well as one count each of aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence, and is the last of three suspects in the deadly arson of the Warren teen.
Zarlingo was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 35 years. She must register as a violent offender.
Zarlingo accepted the deal in Judge Sean O'Brien Trumbull County Court on Friday.
One suspect, Zackary Gurd, pled guilty to his role in the crime back in December of 2023, and another suspect, Brendan Daviduk, entered a plea deal earlier in June to his role in the crime. Neither suspect has been sentenced yet. Both are facing life in prison.
Specifically, investigators say Gurd is the one who brought a can of gasoline to the home the night of the crime, and Daviduk and Zarlingo were there to steal property as part of a dispute involving child support with some of the children in the home.
Chassidy was not one of the children involved in that dispute.
“Clearly she was the driving force … she drove these individuals there, she knew the address … so clearly she had the whole motivation,” Becker said.
Zarlingo did not speak in court during the sentencing. Chassidy's family members did speak and used it as an opportunity to remember the teen.
"She was so happy, so full of life," James Stein, Chassidy’s Step-Father said. "She was amazing. She could make you mad one moment and make you laugh out loud the next."
"You took Chassidy away and Chassidy is just a ray of light," Rose Richards, Chassidy’s Mother said to Zarlingo. “You have no remorse you have no soul and I pray to God that you find your way. I pray that you find God because he is amazing and he will help heal whatever is in your past that has these demons holding onto you.”
With Zarlingo taking the plea, she avoids going to trial. Judge O'Brien said if a jury had found her guilty, he would've imposed the death penalty.