In the Juniata Park neighborhood of Philadelphia, on the afternoon of November 22, 2018, a long-standing feud between 25-year-old Ayessa Warnisha Edwards and another woman erupted into a physical altercation. The dispute unfolded on the steps of a home on the 3900 block of Howland Street, across from where Ayessa lived. As the fight escalated, the other woman's boyfriend intervened, striking Ayessa in the head multiple times with a firearm.
The force of the blows caused her to lose consciousness and fall down the steps.
Ayessa, a Black/African American female affectionately known as 'Poopie,' was rushed to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead at 12:30 AM on November 23, 2018. Born in Philadelphia on August 6, 1993, Ayessa was a graduate of Frankford High School and had earned a Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate from the Philadelphia Job Corps in 2012. She was remembered by her family as a vibrant and funny person who loved to dance, play cards, and was dedicated to her work caring for others.
In the wake of her death, family and friends gathered for a vigil on the 3900 block of Howland Street to mourn their loss and call for justice. In January 2019, Philadelphia police publicly identified Denzel Nelson as the man wanted in connection with Ayessa's death. Authorities alleged that Nelson was the individual who struck Ayessa with a gun, leading to her fatal fall. Law enforcement warned the public that Nelson should be considered dangerous and urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact them. Information regarding whether Nelson was ever apprehended, charged, or convicted in connection with Ayessa's death has not been made publicly available.
