Interim chief asks public to come forward with information regarding two Northeast homicides

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 22, 2017
Homicides | Victims |

Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham held a press conference Wednesday about the recent murders of two women in Northeast.

In a press conference Wednesday, Councilman Charles Allen and Interim Police Chief Peter Newsham urged community members to come forward with information about two recent recent Northeast murders that took the lives of two women.

“Somewhere, somebody has seen something that they know probably isn’t right and doesn’t sit well with them,” Allen said. “Please share that information contact MPD so we can try to bring justice for these two young women.”

According to Newsham, 18-year-old Ayana McAllister was caught in the crossfire of a shooting Monday, at around 8:40 p.m. McAllister was with a friend shooting a music video on 4300 block of Benning Road, NE when she was fatally shot. Police arrived to the scene and transported McAllister to a nearby hospital.

McAllister succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead Tuesday, the same day 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel was found bound and stabbed to death in her apartment.

According to Newsham, police responded to the apartment on 600 block of 14 St., NE around 4 p.m. after reports of an unconscious woman. Upon their arrival Mehiel showed no signs of life and was later transported to the medical examiner’s office. Her cause of death was ruled multiple stab wounds.

Newsham pointed out that her apartment showed no signs of forced entry. In addition, the chief said Mehiel was last seen Sunday evening at the Corcoran Museum.

Although police have not released any suspect information, they are asking for the community to aid in their search for a 2004 blue Toyota Prius that has a yellow diamond sticker on the rear bumper directly below the license place. According to Newsham, the car is owned by Mehiel’s family and has a Kentucky plate number of 722-RMY.

Police have not released in suspect information for the death of McAllister.

“Young people ought to be able to come into our community and enjoy themselves without being nervous that a gun is going to be pulled out and someone is going to end up dead,” Newsham said.

Police are looking for a blue 2004 Toyota Prius with Kentucky plate number 722-RMY in connection with the murder of 34-year-old Corrina Mehiel.