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Detectives from the 113th Precinct discovered Corley’s body inside of her parked car in the vicinity of 122nd Avenue and Lakeview Lane.
By Forum Staff
A Jamaica man has been convicted at trial of murder in the October 2016 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, whose bloodied body was discovered inside of her car days after she had been reported missing, Chief Assistant District Attorney John Ryan recently announced on behalf of Queens DA Richard Brown.
Following a nearly three-week-long trial, a jury last Wednesday convicted Qwantrell Gilliam, 43, of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Sentencing has been set for April 3, at which time Gilliam faces up to 25 years to life in prison on the murder conviction, plus additional time for tampering with physical evidence, Ryan noted.
According to trial testimony, at approximately 2:20 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2016, detectives from the 113th Precinct—acting on a missing person report—discovered the body of 43-year-old Dayo Corley inside of her parked car in the vicinity of 122nd Avenue and Lakeview Lane.
In Corley’s last moments she was brutally attacked, suffering multiple stab wounds and compression injuries to her neck and head. There was blood splattered on the floor of the vehicle as well as on the driver’s seat, where Corley’s body was discovered. The victim’s cause of death was homicidal violence, including stab wounds to the neck, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
According to trial records, Corley was last seen shortly before 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 29, 2016, leaving a hair salon on Merrick Boulevard. Phone activity then shows her traveling to the vicinity of Lakeview Lane and 122nd Avenue after speaking to Gilliam. Surveillance cameras captured Gilliam walking near 122nd Avenue, where the victim’s car was recovered. Gilliam is seen walking towards Lakeview Lane, shortly after 1:50 a.m. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Gilliam is seen again on surveillance video holding a knife, opening a bottle and pouring liquid over his hands and walking towards a nearby metal trash can, disposing of the murder weapon.
Furthermore, said Chief ADA Ryan, according to several witnesses who testified in court, Gilliam had been harassing Corley after their June 2016 break up via cell phone, and he had destroyed property belonging to her in the weeks prior to the murder.
“This was a tragic end for a woman who was victimized by someone who supposedly professed to love her,” Ryan added.
Earlier this month, Brown designated Chief ADA Ryan to exercise the powers and duties of the office of district attorney while he addresses his health issues.
“It had been my hope that I would be able to finish out this term in office. Unfortunately, that is not to be. Given the current state of my health and my ongoing health issues, it has become increasingly difficult to fully perform the powers and duties of my office in the manner in which I have done since 1991,” Brown wrote in a statement issued on March 7. “Accordingly, I intend to resign as district attorney effective June 1, 2019, the 28th anniversary of my first assuming this office.”
