Tonie Wells was found dead early morning on December 27, 2017 at the bottom of the basement of her Crown Heights home on Sterling Place after neighbors heard the cries of her toddler daughter and called the police. Wells had bruising on her neck, which led investigators to treat the death as a possible homicide by Tonie’s husband of nine-months, Barry Wells.
About an hour earlier that morning, Tonie Wells had called 911 to report that she was in fear of her husband, who was acting strangely. Two officers, identified as Wing Hong Lau and Wael Jaber, responded to the scene. The two officers allegedly never got out of their cars to further investigate the situation.
About an hour later, cops were once again called to the Sterling Place home after neighbors heard Wells’ daughter screaming inside. Responding officers found Wells at the bottom of the staircase unconscious and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The NYPD has suspended Lau and Jaber for failing to properly respond to the 911 call from Wells’ home earlier that morning. Internal Affair is investigating the situation.
Tonie Wells’ family has retained Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. to pursue legal action against the NYPD for failing to properly investigate and possibly avoid the fatal tragedy.
Jeff Korek, Senior Trial Partner of Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., who represents the family, says his firm expects a full investigation into this senseless tragedy that has taken the life of this young mother. But right now, the main focus is on providing comfort and support to this innocent child who lost her mom.
About Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C.
The attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are committed to the relentless pursuit of victim’s rights in New York and New Jersey for over 40 years. They urge anyone who has suffered injuries as a result of the negligent actions of another party to contact them immediately.
