The former executive assistant to a tech CEO has been convicted of a gruesome crime: killing and decapitating his boss after embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars, authorities revealed.
On Monday, June 24, a New York State Supreme Court jury found Tyrese Haspil, 25, guilty of first-degree murder and second-degree grand larceny, among other charges, in the 2020 death of 35-year-old Fahim Saleh.
This conviction was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. in a press release.
Haspil's sentencing is scheduled for September 10.
The D.A.'s office reported that Haspil, who began working as Saleh’s executive assistant in May 2018, was responsible for managing his finances and personal matters.
Haspil embezzled about $400,000 from Saleh, spending the money on extravagant gifts for his girlfriend.
To cover up the theft and prevent Saleh from testifying against him, Haspil plotted and executed the murder in July 2020.
Prosecutors detailed Haspil's method of stealing Saleh’s money through two separate schemes.
Haspil created a PayPal account and a corporate bank account to divert Saleh's funds.
He created fake statements and used a name that closely resembled other financial transactions to evade detection.
In May 2019, aware that Saleh would soon discover the embezzlement, Haspil resigned but continued stealing, increasing the amounts taken.
In the days leading up to the murder, Haspil planned an extravagant birthday celebration for his girlfriend, purchasing luxury handbags and shoes, arranging a private yacht tour, and renting a lavish Airbnb in the Soho neighborhood.
On the morning of July 13, 2020, Haspil followed someone into Saleh’s building lobby and hid inside a stairwell.
Disguised in a black custom suit and opaque mask, and armed with a knife and taser, Haspil waited.
When Saleh returned from a run and entered the elevator that led directly to his apartment, Haspil followed.
As Saleh stepped out, Haspil tased him in the back and then fatally stabbed him multiple times in the neck and torso.
The following day, Haspil returned to the apartment to dismember the body and clean up the crime scene.
He used a saw to dismember and decapitate Saleh’s body, placing the parts in pre-ordered construction bags.
Saleh’s remains were discovered by his cousin, who, concerned after not hearing from him for 24 hours, came to check on him and then called the police.
Haspil, who had left to buy a saw battery charger, did not return to the apartment after noticing police presence.
He was arrested on July 17, 2020, at the Airbnb he had rented for his girlfriend’s birthday celebration.
Prosecutors revealed that Haspil’s web searches after the murder included “dismembered body,” “Fahim Saleh,” and articles about the “murder of Tech CEO in New York.”
They also indicated that Haspil had plotted to kill Saleh on at least three separate occasions.
Saleh, the founder and CEO of Gokada, a transportation company based in Nigeria, was remembered by the company for his immense passion for Nigeria and its youth.
"His passion for Nigeria and its young people was immeasurable," PEOPLE previously reported.
"Tyrese Haspil tragically cut Mr. Saleh’s life short – a man who came from a close-knit immigrant family and followed his passions to become a successful entrepreneur," said Bragg.
"I hope the accountability delivered by today’s verdict can provide a measure of comfort to Mr. Saleh’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his loss. I thank our prosecutors for their diligent and thorough work in this case that led to this conviction."
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