Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jose Lequerica was indicted on two counts of murder in the second degree for the death of his 48-year-old wife, Asli Ak. The defendant allegedly struck the victim repeatedly on her face, head and body and later found her unconscious in November 2024. He allegedly waited more than seven hours before calling for help. The victim succumbed to her injuries and was declared brain dead at a hospital four days later.

District Attorney Katz said: “Domestic violence is a plague in our communities that must be rooted out at the core. The defendant is accused of intentionally killing his wife through blunt force trauma and allegedly waiting over seven hours to call 911 after finding her unconscious. Far too often, victims are made to feel isolated and alone, leading to heartbreaking results. Please know that there are resources available to help you safely escape a dangerous domestic situation. My thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends as we seek to hold the defendant responsible.”

Lequerica, 50, of 34^th Avenue in Jackson Heights, was arraigned today on an indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Ira Margulis remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court on August 12. If convicted, Lequerica faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to the indictment, during the late evening hours of November 15, 2024, Lequerica repeatedly struck his wife on her face, head and body. He then left the apartment for approximately two hours, returned and went to sleep on the couch without seeing the victim.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on November 16, 2024, the defendant entered the bedroom of their apartment and found the victim unconscious on the floor. Lequerica allegedly did not call the police until 6:22 p.m.

The victim was taken to the hospital with severe bruising to her face, head, and body. She was declared brain dead on November 20, 2024. Her cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head.  The autopsy revealed that she had severe head injuries including a hematoma that caused swelling inside the head, crushing her brain stem.

Following the grand jury indictment, an arrest warrant was issued for the defendant, and he was arrested earlier today inside his apartment by members of the NYPD.

Assistant District Attorneys Nicole Rella and Alison Miller of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau are prosecuting the case, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, Karen Ross and Jonathan Selkowe, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.