FORT WORTH, Texas — A Tarrant County jury has convicted 43-year-old Tareq Alkayyali, of Arlington, Texas, of murdering his wife and sentenced him to 40 years in prison.
Wasam Moussa, a 23-year-old from Jordan, was hesitant to marry Alkayyali in 2018 and sought a divorce the day after their wedding. Alkayyali returned to Arlington for work, while Moussa moved to the U.S. on May 25, 2019.
She confided in her brother that Alkayyali had covered her mouth with his hand the night before her death. On May 28, 2019, Alkayyali strangled and smothered Moussa, leaving her unconscious in his apartment before going to work.
A coworker called 911, but emergency responders could not revive her, according to a press release from the Arlington Police Department.
“Wasam Moussa didn’t deserve this,” Deputy Chief Allenna Bangs told the jury. “She died alone, by herself, in a country where she knew no one.”
The Arlington Police Department was commended for their work on the case and their dedication to community safety. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Allenna Bangs and Madeline Jones, with Investigator Steve Groppi and Victim Coordinator Laura Medina involved in the proceedings.