Somaya Hussein Ahmed, 35, was found dead in her South Van Dorn Street apartment in Alexandria on the night of January 11, 2019. Her roommate discovered her and investigators noted significant trauma; the medical examiner determined the cause of death was an intraoral gunshot wound and ruled the injury inconsistent with suicide. This was Alexandria’s first homicide of 2019.

Investigators focused on Daniel Kankam, 44, who had been both Somaya’s employer and her romantic partner. Authorities say their relationship was volatile. Police allege Kankam tried to create a false alibi by sending misleading texts from Somaya’s phone after she was dead. Prosecutors presented videos from Somaya’s phone capturing arguments and one showing Kankam pointing a gun. Items recovered after Kankam instructed a family member to discard a bag included a blood-stained security vest, a gun, a fired cartridge case, and two watches; Kankam later admitted removing evidence and that his gun caused the death.

A jury convicted Daniel Kankam in September 2019 of first-degree murder and use of a firearm; he received a 26-year prison sentence. Did anyone who knew Somaya or her circle notice signs of danger in the relationship before January 2019?