Woman Allegedly Used Dead 'Sugar Daddy's' Severed Thumb to Steal From His Bank Account

By Jace Dela Cruz

Jul 10, 2024 05:37 AM EDT

A woman was accused of using her deceased "sugar daddy's" severed thumb to access his bank account. According to court records, Tiffany Taylor Gray, 22, now faces a first-degree murder charge.

Hand Blood — (Photo : Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay)

Woman Faces Allegations of Using 'Sugar Daddy's' Thumb to Access Bank Account

The Washington Post reported that Fasil Teklemariam, 53, was found dead in his apartment in Washington's Brightwood neighborhood on April 5. Police found him with multiple head fractures, several lacerations, and a stab wound, but his right thumb was missing.

The autopsy noted that Teklemariam died two to five days before being discovered, and his thumb was severed around the time of his death. Authorities are investigating four suspects seen on surveillance footage entering and exiting Teklemariam's apartment.

Tiffany Taylor Gray was arrested in Prince George's County earlier this month for first-degree murder while armed. She is awaiting extradition to Washington, DC.

Audrey Denise Miller, 19, is also charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Teklemariam's killing and is being held without bond.

Surveillance Footage

An anonymous witness informed police that Teklemariam and Gray had a "sugar daddy" relationship. The witness noted that the group involved in the attack severed Teklemariam's thumb, and Gray used it to access his bank account.

Surveillance footage captured the suspects around Teklemariam's apartment before his body was found. The last recorded sighting of Teklemariam alive was on April 1, when he was seen with Miller.

According to court records, footage showed suspects leaving his apartment, and cellphone data indicated Teklemariam's phone left the area late that night. Police have not yet found Teklemariam's thumb, mobile phone, tablet, and other electronic devices.