Horrifying Gas Station Attack: The Disturbing Case of Betty McFadden
On March 30, 2022, a quiet day at a Circle K gas station in Pensacola, Florida, took a horrifying turn when a woman, seemingly out of nowhere, set a store employee on fire. The incident left investigators grappling with questions of motive, mental illness, and the unimaginable cruelty of the act. What followed was a nightmarish ordeal that burned a local woman, Joie Hellmich, from her waist up, leaving her fighting for her life.
The tragic story of Joie, a cashier at the Circle K, is a chilling reminder of the thin line between normalcy and terror, as an ordinary gas station turned into the setting of an unspeakable crime. This in-depth article follows the journey from that fateful day through the investigation, court proceedings, and the ultimate sentencing of Betty Jean, the woman responsible for the attack.
The Scene of the Crime: A Normal Day Turned Nightmare
It was a day like any other at the Circle K gas station in Pensacola until Betty McFadden walked in. Video footage later showed Betty arriving at the store, seemingly intent on making a normal purchase. But this was not a simple shopping trip. Instead, it would turn into one of the most brutal attacks the town had ever seen.
According to detailed closed captions from video footage and 911 calls, Joie , the victim, was set on fire by Betty after being doused in gasoline. The first 911 call described the terror:
"This lady just said somebody on fire at the store… she’s still on fire! She’s burned on her face, her arms, from her waist up… Her skin is peeling off!"
First responders raced to the scene, and even though quick-thinking customers attempted to douse the flames with mop water, Joey had already suffered severe second and third-degree burns over a third of her body. She was rushed to a local hospital and later airlifted to a specialized burn center in Alabama.
The Investigation: Piecing Together the Puzzle
As Joey fought for her life, law enforcement officers focused on finding the perpetrator. A witness was able to provide a description of the suspect: a woman in her late 20s or early 30s, African-American, dressed in a black sweatsuit with yellow zippers and blue glitter polish on her toenails. This description quickly led police to Betty Jean, who was arrested not far from the scene after a short foot chase.
Betty, found wearing clothes that smelled of gasoline, was apprehended without incident. Yet, her behavior raised immediate concerns about her mental state. As officers discussed the horrifying burns Joey suffered, Betty, sitting alone in the back of a patrol car, muttered seemingly incoherent statements, revealing a disconnect from the gravity of what she had just done.
"I got to go to prison… I don’t know… did I do it? Did you see me do it?”
Interrogation: The Unraveling of Joie Hellmich
In the hours following her arrest, Betty’s interrogation took a bizarre and disturbing turn. She initially admitted to the crime, claiming that her original plan wasn’t to hurt Joey but two white customers inside the store. According to Betty, the incident had escalated because she had become angry, though she failed to explain exactly why.
"I was going to burn a black around stupid like… damn… did this."
The police dug deeper into her history and discovered that Betty had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2007. Betty herself acknowledged hearing voices and seeing things when she was upset, but she vehemently denied needing medication, despite her disorder. Throughout the interrogation, her confusion and disorganized thinking made it clear that Betty’s mental illness played a significant role in the crime.
The most chilling part of the interrogation came when Betty began expressing a twisted fascination with the degree of Joey’s burns. She repeatedly asked officers about Joey’s condition, particularly curious if Joey’s skin had turned “black” from the burns.
"Is she like chocolate black?… Is she black from the burns?"
When officers informed her that Joey was fighting for her life and that she had only a 2% chance of survival, Betty’s response was cold and indifferent.
"That’s what I wanted, isn’t it?"
The Victims: Lives Shattered by Violence
While Betty’s mental state became a focal point of the investigation, the toll of the crime on Joey and her family was unimaginable. Joey, a single mother, endured months of painful surgeries and skin grafts. Her injuries would leave her with permanent scars—both physical and emotional. Her grueling recovery affected not only her but the lives of her children, who were forced to watch their mother endure intense pain and suffering.
Joey wasn’t the only victim that day. Veronica, a co-worker who tried to help extinguish the flames engulfing Joey, also suffered burns when the fire spread to her clothing. Though Veronica’s injuries were less severe, the trauma of the event was life-altering.
As Joey recovered, her strength and resilience inspired those around her. Her survival was nothing short of a miracle. But the scars, both visible and hidden, were a constant reminder of the senseless violence inflicted upon her.
The Courtroom: Justice and Mental Health
After more than a year of legal proceedings, during which Betty was initially deemed incompetent to stand trial, the courts finally ruled that she could face her charges. The case posed challenging questions about mental health, accountability, and justice. Betty’s schizophrenia and history of erratic behavior raised debates about her mental fitness to stand trial and her understanding of the crime she had committed.
In February 2024, Betty Jean pleaded no contest to charges of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison, ensuring that she would never again be able to harm another person.
Reflections: A Community Forever Changed
The attack at the Circle K in Pensacola shocked not only the local community but also the nation. The senseless nature of the crime, combined with the mental health aspects of the case, left many grappling with how such an incident could have occurred. Betty McFadden’s struggle with schizophrenia, while no excuse for her violent actions, highlighted the gaps in mental health care and how untreated conditions can lead to tragic consequences.
For Joey and her family, life will never be the same. The physical and emotional scars will serve as a constant reminder of the horrors she endured. But Joey’s survival is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Despite facing unimaginable pain, she has fought to reclaim her life and continues to inspire those around her.
As the community continues to heal, Joey’s story stands as both a warning of the dangers of untreated mental illness and a beacon of hope for those fighting to overcome adversity.
Conclusion
The horrifying attack at the Circle K in Pensacola is a tragic example of the devastating effects of mental illness left unchecked. While justice has been served with Betty Jean’s life sentence, the pain and trauma inflicted on Joie Hellmich and her family will linger for years to come. The case serves as a stark reminder that behind every crime, there are victims whose lives are irrevocably altered, as well as complex human stories that challenge our understanding of justice, mental health, and redemption.
