The Fire That Took Her

I was reluctant to watch the documentary being a previous victim of domestic abuse. I was able to get away from my abuser physically unharmed but not mentally. The reoccurring nightmares of him finding and trying to kill me lasted for the three years before slowly subsiding. However I have not been in a relationship since for nearly 20 years now. I didn't understand why. I thought it was my distrust of men but it was fear. A phobic fear of attracting a predator again. Once you come under their radar there is no escape. My only sense of safety is to be alone. I know all to well the fear and desperation Judy felt. She probably knew deep in her soul she wasn't going to get out of it in one piece. Very few women that fall prey to these vicious predators do. Judy shows the strength women have to survive the onslaught of the worst abuse imaginable. All the women in the Malinowski family are strong, loving heros. It's a hard thing to watch but it demonstrates endurance by love.

This was absolutely heartbreaking and horrific to watch- do NOT let anyone under the age of at least 16 watch this, it's truly nightmare fuel and they're not old enough to understand the complexity of the case(s).

I'm glad that justice finally arrived and he is sitting exactly where he belongs- my feelings on th death penalty are irrelevant, but Judy wanted him to suffer in prison for life so that's what happened. It's truly disgusting that he couldn't admit the truth of his actions and for once be a man.

All that being said, there are a few major issues needing more attention- domestic violence and drug addiction. Those who are victims are usually a product of raising that also involved the affliction(s) but not always. Learning the cues immediately is paramount to saving victims. Perps will prey upon those with low esteem and start by love-bombing- showering victims with more love and attention than they have ever known and spend a lot of time on what looks like support but is anything but. It takes almost no time to make victims reliant on them for support and what they think is love. The gaslighting is overwhelming and before anyone realizes it, the victim is buying into the lies and feels cared for and loved. They'll alienate them from loved ones and:or friends. Stay close to anyone you suspect is a victim and softly support, maintain contact and love them.

As far as addiction-how tragic is it that Judy became a victim due to cancer? We must do more for addicts; drug courts are working mostly, but we need better recovery services for those who struggle repeatedly. And not just for the addicts, but the families of addicts to give them support from something other than just AA/NA/etc., that is clearly not enough and legislation needs to change if we hope to make even a dent in the problem.

I'm so sorry to this wonderful family and I sincerely hope Judy's children and family have sought therapy to help them heal these deep wounds and find their hope again.

The combination of wonderful courage and pure evil make this documentary compelling and a must-watch. It points out the many flaws in our legal system vis-a-vis domestic abuse and the lack of consequences for the abusers. It emphasizes the remarkable courage of the abused woman, to the point that her actions from her death bed led to an outcome that should have been reached much earlier in the case. I won't use the term "judicial system" because a lawyer friend told me if justice is achieved in court, it is serendipitous. So, our legal system is in need of constant tweaking and revising. Watch this film to see how it can be done.

How does this not have more reviews? This was amazing and also incredibly heartbreaking at the same time. This documentary follows the story of Judy Malinowski, who was set on fire by her boyfriend, and the attempt by law enforcement to bring him to justice. It is one of those things you have to see to believe, but this poor woman. Every time they showed interviews with Judy, I wanted to cry. No one should have to endure what this poor lady has gone through. And it really highlights a bigger problem of domestic violence and how it is handled in the United States. It's so sad that the legal system is set up in such a way that people charged with domestic violence can get such light sentences, especially if the victim doesn't die, and that certain evince can't be used in court is mind-blowing. It's not very long, but definitely worth watching. In fact, I would say its a must watch for Judy's testimony alone.

What an incredibly sad story of a life destroyed because of one man that the system should have disposed of many years earlier. If ever there was an argument for much harsher sentencing and more liberal application of the death penalty, this is it.

It also just made me think of how important it is to teach our girls how to get out of an abusive relationship if you get into one - without shaming them or blaming them, but just teaching them which tactics work and how to get the help they need.

Extremely, extremely well done. The victim's mother is so incredibly strong. I cannot imagine living with th events of this film and having to get up every day and keep fighting, but she does it.