D.A. Bragg Announces Indictment in Stabbing of 16-Year-Old Saniyah Lawrence


January 3, 2023

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg today announced the indictment of ZYAIRE CRUMBLEY, 18, for the fatal December 11, 2022, stabbing of his girlfriend, Saniyah Lawrence, 16, in Central Harlem. CRUMBLEY is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Murder in the Second Degree and Robbery in the First Degree. [1]

“Saniyah Lawrence’s young life was tragically cut short by this shocking crime allegedly committed by her boyfriend,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with Ms. Lawrence’s family and loved ones as they experience this unimaginable pain.”

According to the indictment and statements made on the record in court, at around 5:30 p.m. on the evening of December 11, 2022, CRUMBLEY and Ms. Lawrence were at an acquaintance’s apartment when they got into an argument over a call Lawrence received. CRUMBLEY attempted to leave the apartment with the victim’s phone. When Ms. Lawrence tried to take her phone back, CRUMBLEY refused and told her, “get back or I’ll stab you.”

CRUMBLEY and Ms. Lawrence struggled over the phone during the fight in the apartment before CRUMBLEY stabbed the victim in the neck. He fled the apartment with the knife and her phone.  

Ms. Lawrence was taken to Harlem Hospital by ambulance, where she was pronounced dead about one hour later due to the stab wound.  

Assistant D.A.s Constantine Coritsidis and Maureen Schnepf are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division), Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Harrison Schweiloch, Annie Siegel, and Craig Ortner (Deputy Bureau Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60). Trial Preparation Assistants Matthew Nelson and Alison Allen are assisting with the prosecution. The Witness Aid Services Unit is also providing valuable assistance.

D.A. Bragg thanked Detective Michael Skyers and the 32nd Precinct Detective Squad and the NYPD Manhattan North Homicide Squad.

Incidents of domestic violence can be reported to our Office’s Domestic Violence Hotline at 212-335-4308 or by visiting the Manhattan Family Justice Center at 80 Centre Street. Help is available for those in need, regardless of immigration status.

Defendant Information:

ZYAIRE CRUMBLEY

New York, New York

 Charged:

  • Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony, two counts
  • Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.