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Harlem man charged in strangulation death of Washington Heights woman
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Sep 13, 2026
Modified Sep 13, 2026
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José A. Alvarado Jr.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Sep 13, 2026
Modified Sep 13, 2026
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A Central Harlem man faces murder and other charges in connection with the strangulation death of a woman inside her Washington Heights apartment last week, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
Tiliek Thompson, 41, was arraigned Sunday in Manhattan Criminal Court in the killing of 27-year-old Lovay Williams, who lived in the 500 block of West 156th St. A judge granted prosecutors’ request to remand Thompson, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. His next court date is Sept. 18.
Thompson is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree assault, first-degree strangulation and endangering the welfare of a child, according to the criminal complaint.
Officers conducting a wellness check at the West 156th Street apartment on Sept. 6 discovered Williams unconscious and emergency medical workers pronounced her dead at the scene, according to police and the criminal complaint.
Williams’ 7-year-old child opened the apartment door for officers and was the only other person inside, according to the complaint.
The Daily News reported that Williams’ daughter was home at the time of the attack. Relatives of the victim could not be reached for comment.
Thompson’s attorney, Neville Onielle Dexter Mitchell, told Gothamist his client would plead not guilty. He declined to comment on media reports that Thompson and Williams had had a romantic relationship.
Thompson was arrested Saturday after turning himself in to the 32nd Precinct, Mitchell said. Police brought him to the 33rd Precinct afterward.
The defense attorney told Gothamist he sends his condolences to Williams’ family, but said people should withhold judgment until all the facts are known.
This story has been updated with new information.
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public safety
Michael Sol Warren
Michael Sol Warren covers New Jersey for WNYC and Gothamist, and previously reported on issues around the Garden State for NJ Spotlight News and NJ Advance Media. He can be reached at [email protected].
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