Christian B. Hughes

Colonel Christian Bell "Chris" Hughes U.S.A.F (ret.) (February 23, 1943 – November 13, 1999) was a 56-year-old civilian Air Force employee who was mortally injured by his brother-in-law, 61-year-old Issa E. Mansour, at Hughes' house at 4325 Upland Drive in the Franconia area of Alexandria on November 11, 1999 when Mansour threw gasoline on Hughes and set it alight.

Born in Washington, Hughes was one of two children of Colonel Marsellus C. Hughes and his wife, the former Carolyn Bell.[1] Hughes attended the University of Virginia, graduating in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in English.[1] Hughes later took a master's degree in biology from Florida International University.[1]

He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and served on active duty until 1973, including service in Vietnam. Hughes then joined the reserves, retiring at the rank of Colonel in 1997.[1]

In 1980, Hughes moved to Franconia.

In December 1996, Hughes married his wife Elena, whose sister Olga later married Palestinian immigrant Mansour.[2] After eight months of marriage to Mansour, Olga moved in with the Hughes', which precipitated Mansour's attack on Hughes.[2]

Hughes is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Christian Bell Hughes, Colonel, United States Air Force." Arlington National Cemetery Website. Michael Robert Patterson, n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jackman, Tom. "In-Law Convicted in Burning Death; Man Poured Gas on Fairfax Victim, Set Him Ablaze." The Washington Post: 0. Aug 02 2000. ProQuest. Web. 5 Jan. 2014.