Friday, April 2, 2010

Arrest in killing of Eddy Curry's ex-girlfriend, child


Chicago police have arrested a man they believe killed ex-Chicago Bulls player Eddy Curry's 10-month-old daughter, Ava, and her mother Nova Henry, who is also the mother of Curry's son.
The Henry family was notified after midnight that Nova Henry's ex-boyfriend, a Chicago man, was in police custody and authorities intend to charge him with two counts of murder.
Chicago police confirmed that the man had been arrested and that murder charges were pending, but further details were not immediately available. The Tribune is not naming the man because he has not been charged.
Asst. Supt. James Jackson said police arrested the suspect early this morning but wouldn't say exactly when.
"We have somebody in custody at this time. Over the weekend there should be some movement (on the case)," Jackson said.
Nova Henry, 24, and daughter Ava were found shot to death in her South Loop townhouse on Jan. 24. A 3-year-old boy, Henry and Curry's child, also was in the apartment. He was discovered asleep on a chair, his hands and feet stained with blood.
According to court records, DNA tests confirmed Curry is the father of both children.
A day after the killings Chicago police detectives traveled to LaPorte County, Ind., to try to speak with Nova Henry's ex-boyfriend after tracing his cell phone to a hotel there. But sources said the interview wasn't fruitful. The man was charged by LaPorte County police with trespassing after he allegedly refused to leave the Comfort Inn in Michigan City, but he was released on bail.
According to court records, the ex-boyfriend appeared in court as a lawyer for Henry in a paternity suit as recently as September against Curry, who now plays for the New York Knicks.
In April 2007, Henry obtained an order of protection against him that prohibited him from having contact with her and her son after he was alleged to have threatened them, according to court documents.
The man was charged with domestic battery for allegedly trying to push Henry down the stairs and with phone harassment. The charge was eventually dismissed and the order of protection was dropped.
The man has also been arrested in other domestic batteries, according to court records.
A week before she was killed, Henry installed a Brinks home security system in her South Loop townhouse, a home she moved to just after Christmas to escape the ex-boyfriend, who she believed was stalking her.
Yolan Henry, the mother of Nova Henry, said she was glad the man was in police custody.
Henry said in a statement from the family that Noah Curry has been in her custody since Jan. 24 and that she has been concerned about the child's safety because he was in the apartment at the time of the killings. She said the Curry family has had security the entire time after the horrific tragedy, while she has had to depend on family members to protect Noah.
Since the murders, Noah hasn't been able to attend school or follow his daily routine, Henry said.
Henry said her family is thankful to the Chicago Police Department for their "tireless efforts."

No comments: