UPDATED 7/17, 11:45 a.m. ET: The NYPD has arrested the deceased tech entrepreneur CEO's personal assistant, The New York Timesreports.
The assistant, 21-year-old Tyrese Devon Haspil, is expected to be charged with second-degree murder. Detectives believe the murder was over money as Haspil was suspected of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from Saleh. Despite the suspected theft, the NYT said the CEO did not report the crime to authorities and had set up a repayment plan for Haspil. The publication also reported that Haspil is alleged to have used a Taser to stun Saleh before stabbing him to death.
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The decapitated and dismembered body of tech CEO Fahim Saleh, was found in a luxury New York City building on Tuesday afternoon, sources tell the New York Post.
Police arrived at the scene around 3:30 p.m. E.T. after the victim's cousin requested a welfare check. When they arrived, they found the 33-year-old man with his arms and legs below the knees removed. The body parts were stored in plastic bags found in the apartment. Near the plastic bags was a power saw that is believed to have been used to dismember Saleh's body. Sources describe the crime as an "apparent targeted murder."
Saleh was last seen on surveillance footage around 1:40 p.m. Monday, when he took the elevator which opens to his seventh-floor apartment. Footage shows the suspected killer waiting for Saleh to enter the elevator. The suspect was carrying a bag and appears to start a conversation with the victim. During their exchange, Saleh gives the suspect a puzzling look. Then as soon as Saleh steps out of the elevator, the suspect can be seen starting the attack.
A law enforcement source says that the crime looked like a "professional killing." There was little to no blood left behind and the killer didn't ransack the apartment. Although they believe Saleh to be the victim, authorities are still waiting for medical examiners to confirm the identity.
Also, no motive has been produced. At the time of his death, Saleh was a venture capitalist and CEO of the Nigeria-based motorbike startup, Gokada. He also had an estimated net worth close to $150 million.
