The fatal stabbing of a 27-year-old Texas man at a luxury condo in Miami, Florida this month has sparked growing media attention, with family and friends having publicly spoken out amid a lack of charges being filed.
As previously reported, Christian Tobechukwu “Toby” Obumseli was stabbed at an apartment complex in the Edgewater neighborhood on April 3, with officers first responding to the scene on a “domestic violence incident” call. He was transported to a nearby hospital but ultimately died from his injuries.
Courtney Clenney, 25, was first identified as Christian’s girlfriend in early regional reports (including this one from WPLG) by friends of the couple who were interviewed about their relationship.
But days later, many questions still surround the case, the investigation of which is being handled by Miami Police Department homicide detectives in conjunction with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department.
Below, we’ve compiled a rundown of what is currently known about the fatal stabbing.
On April 3, 27-year-old Christian Toby Obumseli—who is said to have moved with his girlfriend to Florida from Texas in recent years—was fatally stabbed at the One Paraiso complex in the Edgewater area.
Initial reports, including from WTVJ, said Christian lived in the building with his girlfriend (later identified as Courtney Clenney), who was detained and temporarily hospitalized after the stabbing under the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971, also referred to as the Baker Act.
A subsequent report from TMZ included footage the publication said was taken in the moments after the stabbing, specifically highlighting that the woman seen handcuffed in the footage was indeed wearing what appeared to be the same outfit seen in an Instagram Live update earlier that day. Clenney, notably, has been described in reports as an “OnlyFans model and Instagram influencer” who also goes by the moniker Courtney Tailor.
Public statements from the agencies involved in the investigation have not been plentiful.
At the time of this writing, for example, the only such statement from the Miami Police Department was shared on April 7. In it, a police rep said the preliminary investigation had found “both Mr. Obumseli and the female had been involved in a physical altercation” prior to the stabbing.
See the full Miami PD statement below.
Complex has reached out to the Miami Police Department for additional comment on the current status of the investigation.
Family of the victim has pushed back against claims of the stabbing having been carried out in self-defense. Speaking with reporters, cousin Karen Egbuna remembered Obumseli as a “kind” and “caring” man.
“This is one of the youngest in the family,” Egbuna said, per KXAS. “He is loved, he is kind, he is caring, soft-spoken. The idea that this is somehow warranted is unthinkable.”
The victim’s brother, Jeffrey Obumseli, has also shared an extended statement to Instagram in which he addressed, among other things, recent reports of Courtney having been spotted (and confronted) at a bar.
“The bottom line is inextricably clear: Courtney is being treated differently because of her privilege as a wealthy white woman,” the statement read, in part. “Within 24 hours following Toby’s death, the detective on the case prematurely concluded this was not a crime of violence. But the information provided is deficient and the lack of transparency strongly suggests foul play is involved.”
According to attorney Larry Handfield, who’s representing the Obumseli family, relatives learned of the 27-year-old’s death when someone with the medical examiner’s office called about organ donation. “All they’re looking for is justice,” Handfield said.
Complex has reached out to Handfield’s office for additional comment.
Included amid the earliest reports on the stabbing were remarks from those who say they were close with the couple, including three friends who told WPLG they were shocked by what happened.
“From what we’ve personally experienced between the both of them, we believe that Christian wouldn’t put her in a position where she would need to stab him to protect herself,” one friend, identified as Ashley Vaughn, told the publication.
As touched on above, Clenney’s attorney has argued his client “acted in self-defense” in the fatal stabbing.
“This was not a crime,” laywer Frank Prieto said in a WFOR-shared statement this week. “Courtney is innocent, she acted in self-defense and there should be no files charged in this case.”
Prieto also claimed Obumseli had been kicked out of the apartment in question one week prior to the fatal stabbing in connection with “domestic abuse allegations,” though Obumseli’s family has disputed this. The attorney also described Christian and Courtney’s relationship as “clearly a toxic one,” echoing comments (see above) made by certain friends of the couple.
Complex has reached out to Prieto’s office for additional comment.
