LIFE IMPRISONMENT FOR BRONX MAN WHO STRANGLED HIS WIFE BEFORE DUMPING HER BODY PARTS IN WESTCHESTER CREEK

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 44-year-old house painter has been sentenced to a maximum term of up to life imprisonment for the strangulation death of his wife.

Joshua Nowrang was found guilty of Murder in the 2nd degree last month after a jury deliberated for a little more than one hour before finding that he had “intentionally caused the death” of Rawayti “Anitia” Haimraj, the 35-year-old mother of his two children.

State Supreme Court Justice Michael Gross sentenced Nowrang to a term of 25 years to life imprisonment after hearing pre-sentencing arguments from both sides including victim impact statements from two of Rawayti’s sisters. The judge was told that the entire family was devastated not only by the nature of the brutal crime but by the family’s role in the recovery of the victim’s body.

The jury heard testimony that the murder was the culmination of a long history of incidents of domestic violence at the couple’s residence on Story Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx.  Haimraj was strangled during a heated argument over money after she had decided to end her marriage. At issue were the proceeds from the anticipated sale of the couple’s home since the victim’s sister was listed as the owner of the house.  After murdering his wife, Nowrang cut up her body and dumped the body parts in Westchester Creek adjacent to Ferry Point Park.  Some of the remains later washed up in nearby Castle Hill Park during low tide and were discovered by relatives of the dead woman. Family members had become concerned because the victim had not arrived at her job and could not be reached.  When they voiced their concerns to the defendant and asked about his whereabouts while his wife was unaccounted for, the defendant said he had been fishing near Ferry Point Park.  Nowrang’s comments and demeanor aroused the family members’ suspicions.  Given the couple’s troubled history, they went to the area to look for her and instead stumbled upon her remains.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Trial Counsel, Assistant District Attorney Daniel McCarthy, Director of Trial Training and Assistant District Attorney Karen Saab-Dominguez.