On September 25, 2017, Tanisha Austin, a 33-year-old African-American woman, was found dead in her apartment in the Washington Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. The Cook County medical examiner later ruled her death a homicide by strangulation.
Tanisha Austin had been in an on-and-off relationship with Leroy Lewis, a 45-year-old man, for approximately 17 years. The couple shared a 9-year-old daughter.
In the month preceding her death, Lewis exhibited concerning behavior, including making over 40 phone calls to Jackson Park Hospital, where Tanisha Austin worked, during a single shift, and allegedly threatening her during one of these calls. As a result, Tanisha Austin sought an emergency order of protection against Lewis, which expired 13 days before her death.
Surveillance footage from the night before Tanisha Austin was found dead showed Leroy Lewis entering her apartment building, taking the elevator to the floor below her unit, and accessing the stairwell. When Tanisha Austin returned home early the next morning, Lewis followed her into her apartment. During an argument, he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed until she collapsed. He then carried her to her bed and left the apartment. Later that day, Lewis returned to the apartment with Tanisha Austin's oldest daughter, claiming he was concerned after being unable to reach her. Upon finding Tanisha Austin unresponsive in her bed, Lewis went to the building's front desk to call authorities.
Leroy Lewis was arrested in downstate Danville on an outstanding warrant and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Tanisha Austin's death. During police questioning, he admitted to grabbing her by the throat and acknowledged that she was dead when he left her apartment. At his bail hearing, the judge denied bail, citing Lewis's extensive history of domestic violence, including over 15 police reports filed against him by multiple women. The judge described the incident as 'extremely disturbing' and noted that Lewis 'appeared to lie in wait for this young lady' before she was killed.
Tanisha Austin's death underscores the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of protective measures for individuals in abusive relationships. Her case highlights the need for continued efforts to support victims and prevent such tragedies.
: https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/3/28/18343837/man-with-history-of-domestic-violence-charged-with-killing-his-child-s-mother?utm_source=chatgpt.com 'Man with history of domestic violence charged with.. . - Chicago Sun-Times'
