New York Mother Lovay Williams Remembered at Funeral After Allegedly Being Beaten and Strangled

Hundreds of mourners gathered at a Harlem church on September 19 to say goodbye to Lovay Williams, a 27-year-old mother who was allegedly beaten and strangled to death inside her Washington Heights apartment earlier this month.

Williams was found dead on September 6 during a police wellness check at her apartment near Amsterdam Avenue and West 156th Street. According to investigators and the criminal complaint, her 7-year-old daughter was inside the apartment at the time.

Authorities later identified Williams’ boyfriend, 41-year-old Tiliek Thompson, as the suspect. Prosecutors allege that Thompson assaulted and strangled Williams during a domestic incident. The criminal complaint describes serious injuries to Williams, including swelling that left one of her eyes shut. These allegations have not been proven in court.

Investigators say Thompson allegedly left the apartment after the killing and remained away from police for several days. He was eventually arrested and escorted from a Manhattan precinct on September 13 as grieving relatives confronted him.

Thompson was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to charges including murder, assault, strangulation and endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded into custody and remains held at Rikers Island while the case proceeds.

Williams’ family has publicly demanded justice. Relatives and community members also gathered for a candlelight vigil in Washington Heights days after her death, remembering the young mother and expressing concern for the daughter who lost her mother in such traumatic circumstances.

On September 19, hundreds of mourners filled Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem for Williams’ funeral. Her white-and-gold casket arrived in a horse-drawn carriage as family members, friends and supporters gathered to honor her life.

Williams’ daughter attended the service wearing green, one of her mother’s favorite colors. At one point, she was escorted to the open casket to say goodbye to her mother. Family members said the young girl has a strong support system around her as she faces life without her mother.

Many mourners also wore green and shirts bearing Williams’ photograph and the words “Forever 27.” Friends remembered her as someone who put others before herself and was known for bringing a smile to people around her.

The funeral concluded with the release of four white doves outside the church as mourners gathered around the departing hearse and called out messages of love for Williams. Her family now faces the difficult process of grieving while supporting the young daughter left behind.

The criminal case against Thompson remains ongoing. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Source: NY Post