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Houston woman speaks out after her husband was shot, killed hours before her 2-year-old was found dead inside hot vehicle; Says family knew the gunman

HOUSTON – In an emotional interview, Mabel Essien spoke to KPRC 2′s Re’Chelle Turner about her husband Michael and her 2-year-old son Micah who both died on Tuesday afternoon.

“I’m hanging on faith. I’m walking on faith. The only thing keeping me here is faith,” Essien said.

Investigators say a 38-year-old security guard named Bolanle Fadairo shot and killed Michael and then stole his SUV with little Micah in the backseat.

SEE ALSO: Bond denied for suspect accused of fatally shooting man, leaving his 2-year-old to die in hot vehicle, authorities say

“My two-year-old joy. He was my baby,” she wept. “He took my baby from me. He took my baby from me. He took my husband. Michael was the crown of my head.”

In court, prosecutors say Fadairo admitted he has known Michael for 30 years and has even used the Essien’s address to receive mail.

He admitted he shot Essien because he owed him money and that he deleted text messages following the shooting.

Mabel says Michael helped Fadairo get a job as a security guard and says her husband didn’t owe anyone.

“I’m trying to understand what kind of money Michael would owe him,” she added.

Mabel says the family has known Fadairo for some time and he is known as ‘Black’.

“Black killed my baby and my husband because my husband was being kind,” she said.

Essien’s family is torn by the tragedy and grieving the loss of a father and their young son.

“He has a hope for tomorrow, right? Where is the hope for my 2-year-old, and where is the hope for my husband,” Mabel said.

The family created a GoFundMe page. Click here to help.


About the Author
Re'Chelle Turner headshot

Emmy award-winning journalist born and raised in Alabama. College football fanatic and snow cone lover! Passionate about connecting with the community to find stories that matter.

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