Man killed wife by ‘crushing her brain stem’ with a beating and leaving her on the floor for hours. DA

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Man killed wife by 'crushing her brain stem' with a beating and leaving her on the floor for hours. DA

Jackson Heights, Queens, NY – Jose Lequerica, 50, has been indicted on two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the November 2024 death of his wife, Asli Ak, who was 48 years old. The Queens District Attorney’s Office announced that Lequerica allegedly beat his wife so viciously that he crushed her brain stem, leading to her death.

Lequerica was arrested on Tuesday at his home on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens. He appeared before Supreme Court Justice Ira Margulis for his arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. According to authorities, the fatal incident took place at the couple’s home on the night of November 15, 2024.

Details of the Alleged Attack

Prosecutors say Lequerica repeatedly struck Asli Ak in the face, head, and body during a violent assault in their bedroom. After the attack, Lequerica reportedly left their home for about two hours. When he returned, he did not check on Ak’s condition. Instead, he allegedly went to sleep on the couch, leaving her in distress.

The following morning, around 10:45 a.m., Lequerica went into the bedroom and found Ak unconscious on the floor. Despite her condition, he allegedly waited over seven hours before finally calling 911 at about 6:22 p.m. Emergency medical personnel rushed Ak to Elmhurst Hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered severe bruising to her face, head, and body. Tragically, Ak was declared brain-dead on November 20, 2024 after being unable to recover from her injuries.

Cause of Death and Medical Findings

The medical examiner confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, which resulted in crushing her brain stem. The autopsy revealed that Ak had suffered from a hematoma that caused significant swelling inside her head.

Charges and Legal Proceedings

Lequerica is currently being held without bail and is scheduled for another court appearance on August 12, 2024. He faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery for his alleged actions.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the devastating impact of domestic violence, calling it “a plague in our communities that must be rooted out at the core.” She also expressed her condolences to the victim’s family and friends, adding, “Far too often, victims are made to feel isolated and alone, leading to heartbreaking results.”

Community Reaction and Tribute

Ak’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral expenses and to honor her memory. Her brother wrote that she had “touched many lives and was lost too soon.” The tribute highlighted Ak’s career, noting her time as a teacher, nanny, and later a real estate broker. Though her dream of owning her own real estate agency remained unfulfilled, her contributions were described as “generous and many.”

Domestic Violence Resources

As District Attorney Katz mentioned, domestic violence often leads to devastating consequences. Anyone experiencing such situations is encouraged to seek help through available resources. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support for those at risk, and can be reached at 1-800-799-7233.

This tragedy underscores the critical importance of addressing domestic violence and ensuring victims have access to the help and support they need to escape dangerous situations.

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