Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

An 18-year-old New York man who was wanted for fatally stabbing his 16-year-old girlfriend has turned himself in.

Zyaire Crumbley surrendered to police with his attorney at the 32nd Precinct Monday night.

Crumbley was taken to Harlem Hospital for evaluation after his surrender – police say he was complaining of chest pains – and spent the night there.

Police say he will be taken directly to court from the hospital for arraignment.

He will be charged with the murder of 16-year-old Saniyah Lawrence in an apartment on Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard on Sunday.

Lawrence was stabbed once in the neck after getting into an argument with Crumbley over another boy.

Crumbley was allegedly upset that Lawrence received a phone call from another boy, and he grabbed her phone from her while the pair was in their apartment, sources said.

Crumbley, whose nickname is “Ziggy,” allegedly threatened Lawrence when she tried to get the phone back, telling her, “Stay away from me before I stab you!”

After Lawrence was stabbed, Crumbley left the apartment, and the mortally wounded Lawrence screamed and called 911 while Crumbley then tried to kick his way back in, sources said.

People who lived in that building say they heard the couple screaming and fighting.

“When I was woken up in the middle of night one time, I was concerned with what was going on because it definitely made me fearful for who was in the apartment,” one resident said.

Some who knew suspect say he was troubled.

“I worked with him in juvie,” said one person who didn’t want to be identified. “I tried to help him get his life together. I tried. I failed him, I failed him.”

Crumbley has four prior robbery arrests, including one for which he has been on probation since May, and is suspected in at least two others.

Cops searching the Seventh Avenue apartment after Sunday’s murder found among other things a paper bag covered with blood and various knives and scissors, according to the sources.

Crumbley was ordered held without bail at his Tuesday night arraignment.

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By Buffy Gunner

Independent Journalist + Business Owner | Lover of all things true crime. Mantra: Only YOU can be YOU. | Los Angeles Born | buffygunner@illicitdeeds.com

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