The murder of Kamisha Richards, 22, by best friend Kayla Henriques, 18, is just another tragic case of uncontrolled jealousy and perhaps an uneducated mind.
Kamisha Richards and Kayla Henriques were best friends. They knew each other since they were kids, growing up in Brooklyn, New York.
Kayla’s mother died when Kayla was very young and Henriques sort of took her under her wing.
As time went on Kamisha became romantically involved with Kayla’s brother.
As they got older, as often happens, they started to take different paths in life.
Kamisha Richards wanted more out of life.
She attended high school and went on to graduate from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Her family was so proud of her since she was the first family member to graduate from college.
She had a job as a security guard at a bank, also worked as a housekeeper and wanted to attend law school.
Kayla Henriques was more a product from the streets. Not overly educated, became a single mother at a young age and seemed content to hang out with her friends with no real aspirations. She was likely collecting public assistance.
Kamisha stood by her younger friend, who was like a sister and, since they lived in the same apartment complex, they saw each other frequently.
More and more, Kamisha found herself giving Kayla money. Seemed like Kayla Henriques always needed some and her best friend kept helping her, even though she was never paid back.
Some say that Kamisha could be a little overbearing, but most would agree that her heart was in the place and she wanted to make sure that her best friend’s baby was properly cared for.
One day in February, 2011, she found out that that Kayla did not use the $20 she gave her for diapers. That’s what she said she needed it for.
It hasn’t been made clear where the money went, however, for a girl that perpetually seemed to need money, she still found a way to get her nails done!
It finally dawned on Kamisha Richards that she was being taken advantage of. She likely thought about it in the past, but when she found out for sure that the $20 did not go towards care for the baby, as intended, she was angry.
Their argument got carried over to facebook and some words were exchanged. The facebook pages for both parties are still on facebook however the exchange has been removed. (Thanks to Mail Online for the screenshot)
Even though the facebook exchange was heated, it’s hard to imagine that a public spat would lead to the murder of Kamisha Richards.
It was agreed that they would meet when Kamisha got home from work on February 28, 2011.
In Kayla Henriques’ apartment, an argument ensued. It became so heated that Kamisha reportedly opened the refrigerator and poured out a container of milk, or baby formula, and commented that it was half of what was owed to her.
Kayla responded by fatally plunging a knife into Kamisha.
After bolting from the apartment, Kayla reportedly calmly ate Chinese food. She even had the audacity to send out a message to facebook from her blackberry.
Yes, the girl who had no money had a BlackBerry!
Kayla Henriques has since confessed to the murder of Kamisha Richards, but says it was self defense.
Kamisha Richards, the aspiring lawyer is dead and her best friend has been charged with second-degree murder.
What a shame!
Update: Kyala Henriques pleased guilty to manslaughter on July 31, 2013 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.