Man strangled cousin, tied up body then texted her son, 14, pretending to be her
A New York man has been sentenced to life in state prison after he strangled his cousin, concealed her body, and impersonated her through text messages. Khalid Barrow, 23, was found guilty of killing his cousin Nisaa Walcott, 35, and stealing her money before using her apartment as a cover.
Barrow was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison by Acting Justice Laura Ward of the Supreme Court. The victim’s son, Omir Walcott, who was 14 at the time of the incident, expressed his devastation in a tearful victim impact statement. He described the ongoing trauma experienced by his family, comparing it to nails scratching at his skin.
Justice Ward expressed her deep sadness over the case, highlighting Barrow’s betrayal of his own family. She noted his callous disregard for the victim and her entire family. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg spoke of the family’s resilience and their attendance at the trial, stating that no sentence can undo the pain they have endured.
During the trial, it was revealed that Barrow asphyxiated Walcott in her East Harlem apartment, bound her ankles, and concealed her body in a plastic tub filled with fabric. He then hid the tub in a storage room and cleaned the apartment with bleach. He immediately began impersonating Walcott, texting her teenage son from her phone and requesting the PIN for her EBT account.
Prosecutors alleged that Barrow also sent texts to the victim’s coworkers and other relatives, deceiving them with her false identity. Additionally, he used her credit cards and accounts to make purchases, including food, drinks, and marijuana. Unable to transport the plastic tub containing her body, he relocated it to the apartment’s roof.
The case left the community shocked and devastated. The court recognized the gravity of Barrow’s crimes and handed down a sentence meant to reflect the severity of his actions. However, no sentence can fully heal the pain and loss experienced by the victim’s family.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the need for justice and the impact of such heinous acts on the victims and their loved ones. The case highlights the importance of support for those affected by crimes of this nature and the necessity for communities to come together in times of tragedy.
