A piece of paper from a book on a burned lot in Altadena, January 2025 (File Photo – Felita Kealing)
The Law Office of Douglas Boxer and the Watts Law Firm, attorneys representing LA Fire Justice, have filed a lawsuit against Genasys Inc., Southern California Edison Company, and Edison International following the death of Stacey Darden in the Eaton Fire.
By News Desk
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Stacey’s sister, Geraldine “Gerry” Darden, both individually and as the representative of The Estate of Stacey Darden.
“We are not litigious,” said Gerry Darden in a statement. “Our family thought long and hard about the decision to file a lawsuit. Edison started this fire, and Genasys never warned her that she was in danger. My sister was studiously following the evacuation orders the night of the Eaton Fire. The truth is that if these companies had done what they were supposed to do, Stacey would be alive today.”
The Eaton Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, is believed to have been caused by an abandoned transmission line owned by Southern California Edison and Edison International. The fire led to the deaths of 19 people, numerous injuries, and widespread destruction in the communities of Altadena, Pasadena, and parts of Sierra Madre. The legal team at LA Fire Justice states that they were the first to identify an abandoned transmission line as the source of the fire
Stacey Darden, a longtime resident of Altadena, lived at 2528 Marengo Avenue, just five blocks west of Lake Avenue. According to a press release from the legal team at LA Fire Justice, , on the night of the fire, Stacey and her sister diligently followed local news to monitor evacuation orders to ensure Stacey’s safety. Despite their efforts, residents in their area were led to believe they were safe from the fire and did not need to evacuate.
While residents east of Lake Avenue received evacuation advisories, warnings, and orders, Stacey and other residents to the west were not included in the evacuation zones. “Stacey did everything our community asks of a responsible neighbor in a wildfire, she stayed informed, followed the rules, and trusted that if she was in danger, she would be told to get out,” said Mikal Watts, an attorney representing the Darden family. “Instead, Southern California Edison ignited this fire, and Genasys left Stacey and her neighbors west of Lake Avenue omitted from the designated alert zone. By the time an evacuation order was finally pushed to her phone, it was too late.”
The legal team at LA Fire Justice stated that Stacey’s last known cell phone activity occurred around 3:30 am on January 8, 2025. According to the team, it wasn’t until 5:43 am that a mandatory evacuation order was sent to her phone—hours after the fire had already spread to her neighborhood. Tragically, Stacey Darden was one of the 19 Altadena residents who lost their lives in the blaze, 18 of whom were located west of Lake Avenue.
Attorney Mikal Watts emphasized that this tragedy was not simply a case of bad luck. “This is a tragedy of corporate failures, and that is why we filed this lawsuit,” he stated. The suit seeks accountability for the alleged failures of Southern California Edison, Edison International, and Genasys Inc. in failing to prevent the fire and warn residents in a timely manner.
Thank you to the Darden family! I’m sure this fight will be difficult for them, but what they claim is true. I sobbed when I read that the family is suing Genasys. A lot of us are suing SCE, but Genasys is responsible for the deaths and the contents that we did not have time to pack up–heirlooms, photographs, sentimental items.
And as for Stacey–most of west Altadena got the evacuation notice at 3:25 a.m., as I did. Stacey lived blocks closer to the fire than I, yet she got the notice 2 hours and 18 minutes later. My house was completely gone by then.
Thank you, Gerry Darden! Your action is just the beginning of a reckoning for Genasys.
It can’t bring her back but all parties should be held accountable at the highest level