Man arraigned in killing, mutilation of
transgender Detroit teen Michelle Hilliard
This is an update from my first report on Shelley’s Murder.
A 30-year-old Detroit man was arraigned Monday in the killing and dismemberment of a Detroit teenager.
A 30-year-old Detroit man was arraigned Monday in the killing and dismemberment of a Detroit teenager.
Qasim Raqib is charged with first-degree
premeditated murder and mutilation in the death of Shelly Moore, who also went
by the names Michelle and Treasure.
Moore was last seen at 1:20 a.m. Oct. 23 near the 900
block of Longfellow, wearing a silver dress. The teen's mother, Lyniece Nelson,
previously told the Free Press that Moore went there by cab to meet a man, and
was calling the cab driver for help when the line went
dead.
Moore's torso was found on Detroit's east side near
I-94, and was identified by a distinctive tattoo through the Wayne County
Medical Examiner's office. The teen self-identified as transgender, and members
of her community had previously called on the FBI to investigate her death as a
hate crime.
Michele Hilliard was actually an informant for the Madison Heights Police, and now investigators believe she may have given a tip that cost the teen her life.
Michele Hilliard was actually an informant for the Madison Heights Police, and now investigators believe she may have given a tip that cost the teen her life.
Thanks to the Detroit Police, her alleged killer now
sits behind bars. Due to the victim's sexuality at first, some suspcted that
this may have been a hate crime, but now we're learning the motive behind this
murder was likely retaliation.
"It's hard. Her birthday just passed December fifth. She [would have] been 20 years old," said Lyniece Nelson.
"It's hard. Her birthday just passed December fifth. She [would have] been 20 years old," said Lyniece Nelson.
Every day is a struggle as she mourns
the death of her daughter, Michele Hilliard, a transgendered teen also known as
Henry.
Then came word her alleged killer has been caught.
Then came word her alleged killer has been caught.
"I'm ecstatic. Some families
have to wait years or they never know who did the horrible thing to their child.
It's tragic," Nelson told us.
Sources say it started back in October. Facing jailtime, Hilliard agreed to take part in a drug sting for Madison Heights Police. The deal went down and officers arrested their man -- Qasim Raqib.
Sources say it started back in October. Facing jailtime, Hilliard agreed to take part in a drug sting for Madison Heights Police. The deal went down and officers arrested their man -- Qasim Raqib.
See the video from MyFox Detroit:
Raqib allegedly knew right away it was Hilliard who set
him up. He posted bond and reportedly wanted revenge.
He allegedly bought a cell phone and lured her to an
address on Longfellow in Detroit . As FOX 2 first reported, it was a cab driver
who dropped her off and stayed on the phone with Hilliard because she felt
unsafe. He heard her cries for help, but by the time he made his way back,
Hilliard and the man she met were gone. That was 1:30 in the morning on October
23rd. Three hours later a burned torso was discovered on Bewick near
I-94.
Family hoped she was missing, but weeks later her body
was identified and they learned of her vicious killing.
"It really hurts because everytime I look at her picture or something, I don't know what to do with that. It still hasn't hit me yet," said Brandie Brown, the victim's sister.
"It really hurts because everytime I look at her picture or something, I don't know what to do with that. It still hasn't hit me yet," said Brandie Brown, the victim's sister.
The cell phone was
traced back to Raqib. He was arrested after police searched his Detroit home on
Cedarhurst. Cadaver dogs picked up traces of human remains in the house and his
Ford Expedition he just put into his girlfriend's name. Investigators believe
that's where Hilliard was killed, but her body dismembered and burned in a house
not far away that was torched that same night.
A not-guilty plea
was entered for each count on Raqib's behalf by Magistrate Steve Lockhart. Raqib
will appear for a preliminary examination on Dec. 22.
Nelson called on
friends, family and the LGBT community through Facebook to pack the courthouse
for the next court date. Stay tuned to The Chronicles for further updates.
WOW THATS DEEP. HOPE HE GETS WHAT HE DESERVES
ReplyDeletehe got 25-40 years for the crime. I hope he never gets out
Deletei hope burn in hell and get rape in the booty if me or my friends or family see him i will slice his body up and kill and burn him
ReplyDelete