Suspect charged with murder in death of woman found wrapped in sleeping bag on Kips Bay street
NEW YORK -- The suspect accused of concealing the body of a woman found dead in New York City's Kips Bay neighborhood has now been charged with murder.
Chad Irish, 55, is accused of killing 31-year-old Yazmeen Williams, who was found dead Friday. Her body was wrapped in a sleeping bag and placed inside a trash bag left on 27th Street between Second and Third avenues. Police say Williams had been shot in the head.
A motive for the shooting remains unclear at this time.
Irish was taken into custody Monday afternoon and initially charged with concealment of a human corpse. Surveillance video allegedly shows Irish in a motorized wheelchair dragging what appears to be the same trash bag Williams' body was found inside down the street.
Charges were upgraded to murder and improper disposal of a human body Wednesday. Irish was also charged with weapons possession and menacing after he allegedly threatened a neighbor with a gun during an argument.
Irish is expected to be arraigned Thursday in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Chad Irish denies involvement in Yazmeen Williams' murder
As he was wheeled out of the 13th Precinct to face a judge in criminal court Wednesday, Irish denied having any involvement in Williams' death.
"All I know is I didn't do anything," he said.
Irish also denies flashing a gun at neighbors when confronted about Williams' disappearance.
"Never. Never flashed a gun at anybody," he said.
Williams was an aspiring lawyer who had been set to start a new job with the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Loved ones described her as energetic and a caring sibling to her twin brother and younger sister.
In response to the upgraded charges, Williams' family members say it has been an exhausting couple of days and they are working to build strength for Irish's future court dates. They add they will not give up until justice is served.
Williams' family is currently planning a vigil to honor her life. They say she was a beautiful soul who deserves justice.