Authorities say a man found dead in an apparent violent incident in April in Washington, D.C., had his thumb cut off in order to access a mobile payment app and steal money.
Investigators say Audrey Denise Miller, 19, is accused of killing Fasil Teklemariam, 53, whose body was discovered in a bedroom of his apartment on April 5, according to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant for the suspect.
Teklemariam had “several” cuts on his feet and on his right hand, including a cut on his right thumb that had been severed, according to the affidavit. Witnesses told police that Miller and another woman, identified as Tiffany Taylor Gray, 22, severed Teklemariam’s thumb, according to the document.
According to the affidavit, Teklemariam suffered a fractured skull and was stabbed in the abdomen. Broken glass was found scattered around his body and on his bed. Investigators believe he was killed two to five days before his body was discovered.
According to the affidavit, Teklemariam’s cause of death was determined to be “multiple blunt force trauma” and “sharp force trauma,” and Miller has been charged with first-degree murder.
Police also found evidence indicating cleaning products had been used at the crime scene.
According to the affidavit, over the course of several days, Miller, Gray and two other men were seen on surveillance cameras entering and leaving Teklemariam’s building. They allegedly used a key fob to gain entry to his apartment and stole “several” items, including electronic devices and a watch.
A person listed in court documents as Miller’s attorney could not be reached for comment Tuesday, and it was unclear as of Tuesday night whether Gray had an attorney.
According to the affidavit, witnesses said Gray was a prostitute and that she and Teklemariam were in some sort of relationship.
According to the affidavit, witnesses told investigators that Gray and Miller used Teklemariam’s thumb to withdraw money from his account, and Gray used the funds to buy Ubers, marijuana and alcohol.
At least one other person was named in the affidavit in connection with Teklemariam’s death, but it was not clear as of Tuesday whether that person had been formally charged in the case.
Police arrested Miller on June 21 and charged her with first-degree murder and armed felony murder, NBC Washington reported. She is currently in custody and awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Police arrested Gray on July 1 in Prince George’s County on suspicion of first-degree murder and armed felony murder, according to police.
