A man from the Bronx has been accused of fatally stabbing his girlfriend, a mother of two, over the weekend after suspecting infidelity, as stated by police and family members.
During the incident, a child was reportedly at home, but it’s unclear whether it was one of the couple’s daughters, according to sources.
Authorities say Khaleel Cooper, 39, allegedly stabbed 40-year-old Tamara Lowe multiple times in the chest and arm at their residence on East 232nd Street near White Plains Road in Wakefield on Saturday.
Lowe’s brother called 911 after finding her unresponsive during a wellness check at around 8:35 PM on Saturday, police sources mentioned. She was taken to Montefiore Medical Center but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.
The couple, who met in Jamaica, share an older daughter, now around 9 or 10, while their second child was born in the U.S., as noted by relatives who prefer to remain unnamed.
Cooper had ambitions to start a trucking business similar to his family’s in Jamaica, but Lowe wasn’t supportive of the idea, according to her family.
Meanwhile, Lowe was employed at a restaurant in Queens. Cooper’s suspicions escalated when a man dropped her off one night, as relatives reported. Typically, she would use public transport and didn’t often reach out to Cooper.
“He felt like he put his life on hold for her, thinking they would eventually marry,” a family member shared. “He believed she was being secretive, and he didn’t like that.”
Tensions heightened when Cooper claimed he had recorded her having phone sex with another man, which she denied.
Despite his claims of love and sorrow, stating that they had no issues, the emotional strain evidently led to tragic consequences.
Cooper now faces charges of murder and manslaughter, along with child endangerment and possession of a weapon in connection with the murder, according to the police.
He reportedly has no prior criminal record, as authorities indicated. His court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday.
“We never thought it would go this far,” a family member expressed. “It’s heartbreaking; she’s gone, but I also feel sorry for him. No one deserves this, even if she didn’t treat him right.”
The family noted that the couple’s daughters have lost both parents in this tragedy.
“They’ve lost their mother, and now their father is gone too.”
