The family of Bethany MaGee, who was set on fire by a deranged career criminal on a CTA train in Chicago last week, will celebrate Thanksgiving by her side at the hospital as she recovers from burns covering more than 60% of her body.
“Bethany is a beloved daughter, sister, sister-in-law, granddaughter, and aunt. She is a good friend. She is sensitive, caring, intelligent, and imaginative,” reads a GoFundMe page set up by her brother, John.
“She loves living in Chicago, and her gentle spirit makes her a favorite with every pet she meets. She enjoys playing tabletop and video games with her community, and she is quick to include others in conversations and make them feel welcome,” he continued. “She is kind.”
MaGee, 26, was riding on a Chicago L train Nov. 17 when Lawrence Reed, a repeat offender with 72 arrests — 22 of them since 2016 alone — doused her with gasoline and set her ablaze.
She managed to stumble out of the train at the next stop, engulfed in flames, where she collapsed on the platform until passersby came to her aid. She was rushed to a local hospital to be treated for severe burns covering her face and body.
Approached by The Post outside his suburban Indianapolis home, John Magee politely declined to make a statement, saying “we are not giving comments at this time. Thanks for stopping by but no comments at this time.”
In the face of unimaginable tragedy, the MaGee family said in the spirit of Thanksgiving they “are so grateful for the chance to celebrate at Bethany’s side,” and that she’s receiving “excellent” treatment from her medical team.
The MaGees said most of Bethany’s medical expenses are being covered by insurance and a victims fund, but launched the fundraiser after receiving “countless requests” for a way to help.
“Given the long road ahead of her, the freedom from financial worries would be a tremendous blessing. No gifts are expected, but any that are given will go directly to Bethany,” they wrote.
President Trump addressed the horrifying fire attack at the annual White House turkey pardoning ceremony, excoriating the soft-on-crime justice system that let a monster like Reed free to prey on more innocent victims.
“They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Seventy-two times! Think of that. And liberal judges let him out again,” he said, adding that the administration is “moving toward” the city in an effort to make it safe, calling the crime situation there “out of control.”
