Nigeria Abroad
Julie Diane Williams, a.k.a. Tyger Booty, was an American strip dancer and Instagram model who was reported dead mid-December 2021 at a hotel in Abelemkpe, a suburb in Ghana’s capital city Accra.
Weeks after, Ghanaian police have been investigating the death and have outlined a series of actions taken in respect of the incident: How she arrived in Ghana, contact with the country and the US embassy and arrests related to the death.
The latest development is a revelation about what brought her to Ghana and who was involved.
Some Ghanaian media note that Nigeria features on three major issues over the incident.
Arrival from Nigeria
Days after Tyger was declared dead in Ghana, Accra Regional Police Public Relations Chief Supt Alexander Obeng confirmed in an Asaase Radio report that Tyger’s case was lodged with Tesano Police and had been forwarded to the headquarters.
On December 31, Ghana police issued their first statement on the death confirming that she died at the Rayporsh Hotel on December 14, which was 11 clear days after her arrival from Nigeria.
Point 3 of the statement read: “Preliminary police investigation has established that the deceased US national arrived in Ghana on December 3, 2021 en route from Nigeria. Having tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival, she was taken into an isolation center at Ave Maria Hotel, South Legon-Accra.”
Failed return flight back to Nigeria
Point 5 addressed another Nigerian link to the story disclosing that she had left her hotel a day before she died having booked a return flight to Nigeria, but the trip failed to hold.
“Records available at the Rayporsh Hotel indicate that the deceased checked out from the hotel on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at noon intending to travel back to Nigeria but could not proceed because of visa issues. She returned to the hotel the same day at 2:00 pm and checked in again,” the statement noted.
Nigerian businessman involved
A report by the Ghana News Agency said late Tyger Booty was invited to Ghana by a Nigerian businessman identified as Bright Udiagbe alias Big Slim.
Big Slim owns a hotel, restaurants, and nightclubs in both Nigeria and Ghana.
This disclosure was by the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Lawrence Anane, at the Kaneshie District Court, where several suspects including Big Slim are facing trial for the model’s death.
Even though police initially announced that two people had been arrested in connection with the case, the GNA report states that Big Slim is facing trial with four others identified as – Susan Azor, a trader; Gideon Kwaofio, a receptionist; George Ntsor, a gardener; and Odoi Laryea.
They have since been granted a GH₵100,000 bail with two sureties each by the court after their arrests.
Chief Inspector Anane also disclosed at the court that the deceased and Big Slim had been in a working relationship for the past five years.
Autopsy report is being awaited.
Tyger Booty was an Instagram and OnlyFans model, boasting over 600k followers on her account @iamtyger. The influencer is well-recognised for her large tattoo of a tiger, hence her IG handle.
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