Summer Rental Owner Pleads Guilty To Negligent Homicide

A tragic Hamptons vacation rental fire leads to guilty pleas and probation for a husband and wife, highlighting the dire consequences of negligent property management.

At a Glance

Hamptons rental owner pleads guilty to negligent homicide after fire kills two sisters
Fire caused by illegal outdoor kitchen and overloaded electrical system
Rental property lacked working smoke detectors and had blocked kitchen vents
Owner sentenced to probation and community service, avoiding jail time

Fatal Fire in Hamptons Vacation Rental

A summer getaway in the Hamptons turned into a nightmare for the Wiener family when a fire broke out in their vacation rental, claiming the lives of two young sisters. The tragic incident, which occurred on August 3, 2022, has now resulted in guilty pleas from Peter Miller and his wife Pamela Miller, who managed the rental.

Peter Miller, owner of the $1.8 million Hamptons property, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide for his role in the deaths of Jillian Wiener, 21, and Lindsay Wiener, 19. The fire, which started around 3:30 am, was caused by an illegal outdoor kitchen that dangerously overloaded the electrical system.

Negligence and Code Violations

Investigators discovered a litany of safety violations at the rental property. The house lacked working smoke detectors, had blocked kitchen vents, and featured an improperly constructed outdoor kitchen. These conditions created a deadly fire trap for the vacationing family.

“Defendants’ greed, corner-cutting, and willful failure to give any thought to the safety of the occupants of the premises led to the deaths of Jillian Rose Wiener and her sister Lindsay Eliza Wiener,” the family said in a previous lawsuit.

Peter Miller admitted to performing the dangerous wiring himself without proper safety inspections. The couple faced 29 code violations each, including unpermitted construction and failure to obtain a rental permit.

Prosecutors said an overloaded electrical circuit sparked the fire that killed Jillian, 21, and Lindsay, 19. https://t.co/4LdvCniUGx

— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 28, 2024

Sentencing and Consequences

As part of a plea deal, Peter Miller was sentenced to three years probation and 200 hours of community service, allowing him to avoid jail time. His wife, Pamela Miller, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 100 hours of community service.

“We take all matters involving housing regulations very seriously, as they are crucial for public safety,” the Suffolk County DA said. “If you have a rental home, you have a duty to make sure that it is safe.”

The Millers’ sentencing is scheduled for November 7, where surviving members of the Wiener family are expected to make victim impact statements. The tragedy has also resulted in a federal lawsuit filed by the Wiener family against the Millers.

A Family’s Unimaginable Loss

The fire occurred while the Wiener family was on what was meant to be a final vacation with their terminally ill father, Lewis Wiener. While the parents and their son Zachary managed to escape, with Zachary jumping from the roof, the two sisters became trapped upstairs and did not survive.

Jillian Wiener was an incoming senior at the University of Michigan, and Lindsay Wiener was set to return to Tulane University for her sophomore year. Their father, Lewis Wiener, a former federal prosecutor, passed away in April 2023, adding another layer of tragedy to the family’s ordeal.

This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations and proper maintenance in rental properties. It underscores the responsibility that property owners bear in ensuring the safety of their guests and the potentially devastating consequences of neglecting these duties.