Tyrese Haspil Sentenced to 40 Years to Life in Prison for Brutal Murder of Former Boss and Gokada Founder Fahim Saleh
A New York State Supreme Court jury has convicted Tyrese Haspil, 25, of first-degree murder, second-degree grand larceny, and other charges in the gruesome killing of his former boss, Fahim Saleh, 33.
Haspil, who worked as Saleh’s executive assistant at Gokada, a Nigerian transportation company, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.
According to prosecutors, Haspil’s motive for the murder was to avoid being caught after embezzling thousands of dollars from his employer. The investigation revealed that Haspil had set up a PayPal account and a corporate bank account to funnel Saleh’s money, generating fake financial statements and using a name that closely resembled legitimate transactions.
Saleh, the founder and CEO of Gokada, had discovered Haspil’s embezzlement in May 2019 and had given him a second chance. However, Haspil continued to steal money, increasing the amounts to an estimated total of $400,000. Prosecutors claimed that Haspil had planned to murder Saleh at least three times before ultimately carrying out the crime in July 2020.
The brutal murder took place on July 13, 2020, when Haspil entered Saleh’s apartment building in Lower Manhattan and followed him into the elevator. He then deployed a taser against Saleh’s back and repeatedly stabbed him in the neck and torso with a knife. The next day, Haspil returned to the apartment and dismembered and decapitated Saleh’s body using a saw.
Saleh’s cousin discovered his body on July 14, 2020, after visiting his apartment to check on his welfare. Haspil was arrested four days later at an Airbnb location he had rented to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.
In a statement, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. said, “Today, Tyrese Haspil is facing accountability for brutally murdering and decapitating Fahim Saleh… Even after the defendant stole from him to fund a lavish lifestyle, Mr. Saleh still gave him a second chance. While today’s sentence won’t bring Mr. Saleh back, I hope it provides his family a sense of closure as they continue to mourn his painful loss.”
Gokada issued a statement after Saleh’s passing, describing his dedication to Nigeria and its youth as “immeasurable.” Saleh believed that young Nigerians were extremely bright and talented individuals who would flourish if given the right opportunity. He built Gokada to act upon these beliefs, transforming lives and improving safety and efficiency through technology.
Haspil’s sentencing brings closure to Saleh’s family and friends as they mourn his tragic loss. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of greed and betrayal.
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