Updated Thursday, Dec 15, 2011:
Qasim Raqib has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and mutilation in the death of Shelly "Treasure" Moore. A preliminary examination will take place on Dec. 22 at 1:30 p.m. at 36th District Court. Lyniece Nelson, Moore's mother, has asked that friends, family and the LGBT community pack the courtroom.
Detroit Police confirmed Friday, that an arrest has been made in the murder of Michelle "Shelly" Moore, a transgender woman whose torso was found on the east side of Detroit near I-94 on Oct. 23. As reported in an earlier BTL story, Moore was last seen at around 1 a.m. on the morning of the 23rd, when a cab driver she used frequently dropped her off at a house in Detroit where three men were waiting outside. Just minutes after, Moore called the driver again saying she felt uncomfortable and asking that he return. But the phone went dead mid-call and by the time he made it back to the house there was no sign of her.
Police investigated several leads in the case, including the possibility of a hate crime, which they dismissed early on after learning of Moore's involvement with prostitution and illegal drugs. According to Detroit Police, Moore had been living in Motel 6 in Madison Heights with another sex worker, and the women would leave on "out calls" to service customers.
About a week before Moore went missing, Madison Heights Police caught the women in their room smoking marijuana. Moore's companion was arrested and Moore was given the opportunity to avoid arrest by helping police arrest her drug dealer. Police say Moore called her drug dealer and asked him to deliver marijuana and other "harder drugs," and police arrested him en route to the motel.
"This murder was brutal. It seemed very personal," said Detective White of the Detroit Police Department. "It seemed like revenge, and it happened right after this drug bust." White and his team of detectives took every lead seriously, and worked for weeks to tie enough pieces together to arrest the suspect.
White said that while Moore was involved in illegal activities, he doesn't think she was looking for trouble. "From all accounts she was an easy-going person who got along with everybody," he said. "We talked to a lot of people she knew and no one had anything bad to say. She liked to chill and smoke weed, and this is how she made her living, but she was quiet and kept to herself."
The suspect's name is not being revealed at this time, and charges are pending as White is still working with the Prosecutor's Office. White confirmed that the suspect is a known drug dealer, but declined to reveal the suspect's previous criminal record until charges are finalized.
Detectives are still considering the possibility of other arrests. "I think it took more than one person to do this, but we need more information and evidence before arrests can be made," he said. They are also still searching for the rest of Moore's body, the torso of which was identified by a rose tattoo. The body was found dismembered, decapitated and burned.
"Now that this dangerous person is off the street, we hope people who have information will come forward."
Moore's mother, Lynice Nelson, posted news of the arrest on her Facebook Page, stating "GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME…….ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD! By the grace of GOD,th person evry1 kno tht took my Treasure frm us has been ARRESTED;HE IS IN CUSTODY,Thank you JESUS! Now my heart pleads 2 evry1,if u hold n e information on how 2 make sur ths coward locked up 4 life plz,PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE,come forward,let th weight fall from ur shoulders, I LOVE YOU ALL."
In a phone call to BTL, Nelson added "Everybody says they love and miss her, and not to be afraid. Every family member is so elated and so thankful to God and to the Detectives. They were quick to find justice and we are so thankful. We need anybody else with information to come forward so that this coward gets in jail forever and make sure justice is served. I refuse to call this person a man. They are a coward and that's how I'll refer to him.
"My faith in God is strong and steadfast and is not ever ever going to be taken away from me," she said. "If you know anything, please tell the police. Do the right thing and do not be afraid. Let God be your guide."
Those with information can contact Detective White at (313) 920-2648.
– Jason A. Michael contributed to this story.
