Father who died in jail was accused of killing daughter after possibly impregnating her, prosecutor says
Default Mono Sans Mono Serif Sans Serif Comic Fancy Small CapsDefault X-Small Small Medium Large X-Large XX-LargeDefault Outline Dark Outline Light Outline Dark Bold Outline Light Bold Shadow Dark Shadow Light Shadow Dark Bold Shadow Light BoldDefault Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%Default Black Silver Gray White Maroon Red Purple Fuchsia Green Lime Olive Yellow Navy Blue Teal Aqua OrangeDefault 100% 75% 50% 25% 0%The 36-year-old died of a pulmonary embolism, according to a preliminary autopsy report provided by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. (Source: wctv)
By Matt Hoffmann, Jamiya Coleman and Gray News Staff
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) – A father in Florida accused of killing his 12-year-old daughter has died in jail, according to authorities.
Andrew Wiley, the father and suspected killer of Lori Paige, died of natural causes resulting from a pulmonary embolism, a preliminary report from the medical examiner shows.
The Mayo Clinic defines a pulmonary embolism as “a blood clot that blocks and stops blood flow to an artery in the lung.”
Wiley died while in custody at the Leon County Detention Facility. His death comes two months after he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his daughter.
Authorities allege that Wiley killed the 12-year-old middle schooler on June 1, 2023, and dumped her body in a wooded area in Thomas County, Georgia, the next day.
Wiley reported his daughter missing on June 3 that year, claiming she left home with her backpack sometime overnight while he was at work.
Detectives pursued leads and conducted interviews across several states for nearly a year. Eventually, investigators said they began to uncover inconsistencies in Wiley’s original story.
In February 2024, detectives seized a phone from the father’s home.
The phone revealed questionable internet searches about remote areas with bodies of water in Alabama and Georgia, among other things.
During an interview with State Attorney Jack Campbell Monday, he revealed that evidence indicates Andrew Wiley murdered his daughter after sexually assaulting and possibly getting her pregnant.
Campbell also went on to say he believes the 36-year-old father acted alone, based on the evidence provided so far.
It’s possible that Lori’s death was premeditated once her father realized he could not cover up the sexual assault, according to the attorney.
Campbell also suggests that it’s possible Wiley and Lori had an altercation, making it more likely to be a crime of passion. Prosecutors were unlikely to pursue the death penalty due to insufficient evidence of premeditation.
He said there is no way to know for certain what Lori’s “final hours“ were like.
Despite public suspicion regarding the father’s death, Campbell said he currently has no reason or evidence to believe Andrew Wiley’s death was anything other than natural.
According to a family member, Andrew maintained his innocence until death.
‘It makes you realize how short life is’: Devastated family, friends mourn father of 4 fatally shot during Kleinberg home invasion
Sean LeathongOpens in new window
andJoanna LavoieOpens in new window
Published: September 02, 2025 at 9:27PM EDT
Aleem Farooqi was an innocent victim, a man who was devoted to his family, community, and charity, says his devastated family.
According to York Regional Police, at least three people wearing dark masks entered a home at 22 Andreeta Dr. in Kleinberg just before one a.m. on Sunday.
Farooqi, who was 46, his wife, and four children – a teenage son and three girls who are believed to be 16, eight, and four – were inside that residence at that time.
Friends of the victim say the intruders demanded valuables and pointed a gun at his daughters. That’s when Farooqi stepped in and was shot, they say.
Police say officers arrived at the residence early Sunday morning and found a man suffering from what they described as “trauma.” The victim, later identified as Farooqi, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspects fled the area and remain outstanding.
The man’s brother Naeem said he loved his family and when faced with the circumstances that unfolded that night he responded “like any father, any man would.”
“It makes you realize how short life is,” he said.
Close friend Rizwan Ahmad said he’s shaken by this senseless killing.
“(Aleem) got killed in front of his children and that’s something I can’t even picture,” he told CTV News Toronto.
On Monday night, a vigil was held in the neighbourhood for Farooqi. About 200 people came out to pay their respects and support his family.
Friend Ehsan Malik said Farooqi “lived by the motto love for all hatred for none,” calling him a “true example.”
Other friends say he lived the example through charitable work he did, like shoveling snow for the elderly and holding a Christmas toy drive for a local school.
In their initial news release. York Regional Police said the attack appeared to be targeted.
Friends of Farooqi, however, are disputing that possibility.
Malik said he doesn’t think his friend could have an enemy who would go so far as to shoot him to death.
“Even if somebody thinks that he had an enemy, I can’t believe knowing him for so much, I can’t believe he could ever have an enemy,” he said.
Naeem added that he doesn’t believe that there was a target on his brother.
“He had a very simple business. (Aleem) was a very honest man. You know, I think this was a home invasion that went very wrong,” the brother said.
CTV News Toronto has reached out to York Regional Police for clarification, but we’ve not heard back.
Farooqi owned a successful duct cleaning business.
Friends say he’d met Ontario Premier Doug Ford last fall due to his efforts to help improve air quality in schools.
Today, the premier sounded off on those responsible.
“These scumbags shot him right in front of his kids, shot him dead, twice. Just imagine, you know what? The trauma these kids are going to go through for the rest of their lives,” Ford said.
Farooqi’s family, meanwhile, wants justice for their loved one, and for the public know who Aleem was.
“Defending one’s family is considered a heroic martyrdom and I think he has achieved that, so I know my brother is watching from heaven,” the man’s brother said.
