Initial Report and Complaint

Florida Family Association learned about the death of a 48 year old Arab woman named Fatima Abdallah whose demise did not appear to be caused by an accident as the Tampa Police Department officially determined. Florida Family Association hired an experienced private investigator who was a former police detective to research and explore Fatima ’s death.

Our investigation revealed the following about Fatima Abdallah’s personal life . Fatima :

Lived in the same household as did three related Arab named families.

Was allegedly divorced by her cousin husband because she could not have children and he married another cousin.

Allegedly brought shame to her Muslim family because of her divorce according to neighbors.

Was allegedly not permitted to return to her homeland in the Middle East by the family.

by the family. Was allegedly not permitted to drive on her own even though she was licensed.

Was allegedly the subject of many arguments with other family members.

Was allegedly treated badly and had unthinkable things done to her by her older brother.

Our investigation revealed the following about Fatima Abdallah’s death:

Family members claimed that she killed herself by repeatedly slamming her head onto a coffee table and the floor. The Tampa Police Department accepted this claim as the cause of death. Tampa Rescue said she looked like someone beat her up and disputed the probability that she could have killed herself in that manner. In addition to head, face and lip injuries she had several lower fractured ribs with hemorrhage in the area which is normal in cases of blunt trauma to the rib cage

Five family members waited nearly 2 ½ hours before calling 911.

The call to 911 dispatch gave a completely different version of what happened to Fatima and her state of mind than was reported by detectives on the scene. The same family member gave two different accounts. The Tampa Police Department: Did not catch the fact that Muhammad called 911 dispatch and not his brother Ali as the TPD report states. Did not catch the fact that Muhammad told 911 dispatch a different version of what happened to Fatima than he told detectives on the scene. Relied upon a family member instead of an independent translator to translate the account of the only alleged witness to Fatima ’s death. That witness left the country just days after Fatima died. Did not verify the travel of one of Fatima’s brothers from Ft. Myers to Tampa which was the assumed reason for the 2 ½ hour delay before anyone in the family called 911. Did not properly account or resolve how Fatima’s lower right ribs 4 thru 9 were broken and other injuries were sustained to her face and mouth. Did not fully investigate or identify blood evidence on a large shirt, floor and stairs. Did not interview neighbors. General Offense report completed by various police personnel qualified the Cause of Death as “Homicide” and “Undetermined” and “Unexplained” but was reclassified to “Accident” by Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner: Final determination of Cause of Death that the “Decedent fell and struck her head” is inconsistent with the Tampa Police Department General Offense Report and 911 dispatch detail descriptions of the death. Determined the fracture of right ribs 4 thru 9 was due to CPR even though these ribs do not come into play during CPR and even though Tampa Rescue states that they did not perform CPR.

There is much more information regarding our investigation findings listed the in the letter below to the State Attorney, Tampa Mayor and Tampa City Council.

It is Florida Family Association’s opinion that given the circumstances of Fatima Abdallah’s personal life and the facts surrounding her death that there is a need for the Tampa Police Department to reopen this case or for the State Attorney to open a new inquiry to fully investigate Fatima Abdullah’s death. Was Fatima Abdallah’s death really an accident or honor killing?

If Florida law enforcement agencies decline to properly investigate and file appropriate charges in violent crimes where cultural laws may have dictated illegal behavior then Islamic rule of law will effectively reign in our state. Law enforcements’ unwillingness to properly investigate and bring charges in violent crimes that may have been perpetuated by religious or cultural creeds will undermine our public safety and severely change our value system.

Florida Family Association sent out an email alert and posted an online article on May 19, 2011 to encourage concerned citizens to send emails to Mayor Bob Buckhorn and State Attorney Mark Ober regarding numerous inconsistencies in the death investigation of Fatima Abdallah. Their response follows this section.

FLORIDA FAMILY ASSOCIATION LETTER TO TAMPA MAYOR, STATE ATTORNEY AND TAMPA CITY COUNCIL

Dear Mayor, State Attorney, Tampa City Councilmembers Buckhorn, May 19, 2011

Florida Family Association respectfully requests that Tampa Police Department General Offense case number GO 2009-483498 involving the death of Fatima Abdallah be reopened and thoroughly investigated because of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her death and subsequent information reported by an independent investigation.

The Tampa Police Department investigated the death of Fatima Abdallah on August 16, 2009 at 8358 Old Town Drive , Tampa , FL which is the residence of Muhammad Abdallah Hmeid. Fatima , born October 1, 1961, lived at this residence with:

Nafish A. Kahla, decedents’ mother.

Muhammad Abdallah Hmeid, decedents’ brother.

Hamdi Ali Kahla, decedents’ brother.

Alia Ali Alkahla, decedents’ brother.

Tahane Abed Awwad, decedents’ sister-in-law and wife of Alia Ali Kahla.

Alia Alkahla, child not identified by parent.

Tahane Awwaad, child not identified by parent.

The Tampa Police Department and Medical Examiner determined that Fatima Abdallah’s cause of death resulted from the decedent allegedly beating her own head against a coffee table and on the floor until she died. Her death was ruled accidental and the case was promptly closed. The entire Tampa Police Department “General Offense” report, “Medical Examiner” report and 911 Dispatch Cad Call Hardcopy report are enclosed. The “General Offense” report will be referred to in this letter as GO with suffix numbers for the appropriate page number. The “Medical Examiner” report will be referred to in this letter as ME with suffix numbers for the appropriate page number. The Tampa 911 Dispatch Call Hardcopy report will be referred to in this letter as DIS with suffix numbers for the appropriate page number. Crime scene photographs are also referenced in this letter by their exact file name.

Florida Family Association hired Prestige Investigations, Inc. to investigate the death of Fatima Abdallah. Prestige Investigations, Inc. provided four reports dated April 6, 2011, April 16, 2011, April 21, 2011 and May 5, 2011. These Prestige Investigations, Inc. reports will be referred to in this letter as PI0406, PI0416, PI0421 and PI0505 with suffix numbers for the appropriate page number.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS

The “ accidental cause of death ” that Fatima Abdallah allegedly “ slammed her head into a wood coffee table (and carpeted floor), multiple times ” until she died is difficult to comprehend. GO15. Lt. Scott Ashley with Tampa Rescue #21, Cross Creek Blvd-New Tampa who was interviewed by Prestige Investigations, Inc. said “ He did remember the call and stated that when he got to the scene he observed the decedent and thought that ‘someone had beat the crap out of her.” Lt. Ashley also said that “ it would be very difficult for someone to hit their heads hard enough to cause loss of consciousness. It would be similar to someone stopping their breathing and causing their death.” PI04063.

GO15. Lt. Scott Ashley with Tampa Rescue #21, Cross Creek Blvd-New Tampa who was interviewed by Prestige Investigations, Inc. said “ Lt. Ashley also said that “ PI04063. It is difficult to accept that the damage done to the coffee table shown in crime scene photographs DSC_508, DSC_509 and DSC_510 was self inflicted or accidental.

Five family members waited 2 ½ hours before calling 911. The mother, three brothers and sister-in-law allegedly knew of Fatima’s injuries but waited 2 ½ hours until Ali A. Alkahla allegedly arrived from Ft. Myers to call 911. However, the 911 Dispatch (DIS1) report states that Muhammad called 911 not Ali as pointed out below.

The mother, three brothers and sister-in-law allegedly knew of Fatima’s injuries but waited 2 ½ hours until Ali A. Alkahla allegedly arrived from to call 911. However, the 911 Dispatch (DIS1) report states that Muhammad called 911 not Ali as pointed out below. The TPD GO report states that Nafish A. Kahla, Fatima ’s mother, did not call 911 because she allegedly did not know how to use the phone yet was reported to have allegedly had numerous conversations with her sons. Muhammad Hmeid “ stated that she (Nafish) did not call 911 because she doesn’t know how to use the phone very well.” GO19. However, the decedent’s mother called her sons, some several times. Ali Alkahla “ He advised he was in Ft. Myers Fl.. visiting relatives when he received a phone call from his mother on his cell phone.” GO20. Muhammad Hmeid “ continued to receive phone calls but that he still was not sure what was going on.”

Muhammad Hmeid “ (Nafish) GO19. However, the decedent’s mother called her sons, some several times. Ali Alkahla “ GO20. Muhammad Hmeid “ TPD did not verify Ali A. Alkahla’s travel from Ft. Myers which was crucial to the time line credibility of the family waiting 2 ½ half hours to call 911. The TPD GO report states that the family did not call 911 until Ali A. Alkahla allegedly arrived 2 ½ hours after the deceased lay lifeless on the carpet . “No one challenged the statement as to who the son was visiting in Ft. Myers , FL. Who did they visit and what is their name, address and phone number?” PI05053. TPD did not verify Ali’s statements.

The TPD GO report states that the family did not call 911 until Ali A. Alkahla allegedly arrived 2 ½ hours after the deceased lay lifeless on the carpet PI05053. TPD did not verify Ali’s statements. TPD did not verify that phone calls were made from the home to Ali A. Alkahla or from brothers to brothers during that critical 2 ½ hour period. The TPD GO mentions no confirmation or attempt to confirm this activity.

The TPD GO mentions no confirmation or attempt to confirm this activity. The 911 dispatch (GO16) (DIS1) was given an entirely different account of the (1) deceased’s frame of mind, (2) how the deceased was discovered and (3) the circumstances that lead to her death compared to the accounts given by Muhammad Hmeid and Nafish A. Kahla (GO20). GO16 reports “ Per the dispatch details, the decedent was discovered unconscious and unresponsive within the family shared residence. The call details also noted that the decedent had been cleaning, and may have passed out due to cleaning product fumes .” (1) The dispatch call states the deceased had the responsible presence of mind to be cleaning the house which is significantly different from Muhammad’s account of her acting mentally unstable. (2) The dispatch call states she was discovered unconscious while Muhammad states his mother witnessed her self inflict injury. (3) The dispatch account alleges the deceased passed out from cleaning product fumes while Muhammad’s version alleges that she repeatedly beat herself to death on the coffee table and the floor. There appears to be no attempt by TPD in the GO to reconcile these conflicting accounts. This gross disparity in accounts also went unnoted in the TPD GO report.

GO16 reports “ .” (1) The dispatch call states the deceased had the responsible presence of mind to be cleaning the house which is significantly different from Muhammad’s account of her acting mentally unstable. (2) The dispatch call states she was discovered unconscious while Muhammad states his mother witnessed her self inflict injury. (3) The dispatch account alleges the deceased passed out from cleaning product fumes while Muhammad’s version alleges that she repeatedly beat herself to death on the coffee table and the floor. There appears to be no attempt by TPD in the GO to reconcile these conflicting accounts. This gross disparity in accounts also went unnoted in the TPD GO report. The TPD GO20 report states that Ali A. Alkahla called 911 but the 911 Dispatch (DIS1) states that it was Muhammad Hmeid who called. According to TPD GO20 “ He (Ali Alkahla) did not know when his sister stopped breathing but when he got home and went inside he could see his sister was not breathing and called 911.” However, the first entry on the CAD Call Hardcopy (DIS1) states “ Aug-16-2009 21:05:07 – HMEID, MUHAMMAD COMPL’S SISTER DOWN NOT CONCS UNK IF BREATHING HE JUST FOUND HER. ” Tampa Police detectives overlooked this discrepancy.

According to TPD GO20 “ However, the first entry on the CAD Call Hardcopy (DIS1) states “ ” Tampa Police detectives overlooked this discrepancy. The account of Fatima ’s death attributed to Muhammad Hmeid in TPD 911 Dispatch Report (DIS1) is entirely different than the account reported by TPD in GO18-20. The above referenced account given to dispatch of Fatima passing out due to fumes from cleaning products was reported as given by Muhammad yet his account and the account he gave for his mother in GO18-20 Muhammad is reported to have said that Fatima repeatedly beat her head against the coffee table and floor until she died. Tampa Police missed the two different accounts that Muhammad gave of how Fatima died.

The above referenced account given to dispatch of Fatima passing out due to fumes from cleaning products was reported as given by Muhammad yet his account and the account he gave for his mother in GO18-20 Muhammad is reported to have said that repeatedly beat her head against the coffee table and floor until she died. Tampa Police missed the two different accounts that Muhammad gave of how died. TPD did not rely upon an independent translator to interview the only alleged witness to Fatima ’s death. Nafish A. Kahla, the decedents’ mother allegedly spoke no English. TPD relied entirely upon her son, Muhammad, to translate Nafish’s alleged account of her daughter’s death GO19. TPD made no attempt to have an independent translator interview Nafish A. Kahla. Nafish’s alleged account was basically a repeat of Muhammad’s account GO18 and GO19.

Nafish A. Kahla, the decedents’ mother allegedly spoke no English. TPD relied entirely upon her son, Muhammad, to translate Nafish’s alleged account of her daughter’s death GO19. TPD made no attempt to have an independent translator interview Nafish A. Kahla. Nafish’s alleged account was basically a repeat of Muhammad’s account GO18 and GO19. The mother left the country just days after Fatima ’s death. “ Immediately after the funeral, the mother was sent out of the country. It was believed that she was possibly sent back to Palestine or Israel .” PI05053. Reporting this fact does not mean to imply that the mother hurt Fatima . However, it would appear that she may have a different story to tell if an independent translator questioned her.

“ PI05053. Reporting this fact does not mean to imply that the mother hurt . However, it would appear that she may have a different story to tell if an independent translator questioned her. Muhammad’s account of Fatima ’s death is much more detailed than one would expect from someone who only knew what happened as described by someone else i.e. his mother. In fact, Muhammad gives far more details of Fatima ’s death than his mother gave. GO18-20.



In fact, Muhammad gives far more details of ’s death than his mother gave. The TPD GO report contains varying and inconsistent “Causes of Death.” GO15 states “Caused by Undetermined." Detective Durkin. GO24 states “OFFENSE: Homicide.” CST Matthew Evans. GO25 states “OFFENSE: Unexplained Death.” CST Shelby Garman. The deceased suffered broken ribs which were not properly explained or accounted for in the TPD GO report. Fatima ’s lower right ribs were broken. The medical examiner attributes broken ribs to CPR but Tampa Rescue says that no CPR was performed. The Medical Examiner report states “ There are rib fractures from cardiopulmonary resuscitation. ON the right side, ribs 4 and 5 are fractured and … ribs 5 – 9 are fractured. ” ME3. However, Lt. Scott Ashley stated “ No CPR was performed by Tampa Rescue as the decedent was already dead and had been for some time.” Lt. Ashley was asked to comment on the broken ribs after reviewing the Autopsy Report. Lt. Ashley advised “CPR injuries usually occur around the sternum (breast bone) and in the anterior aspect. The fractures of ribs 5-9 in the posterior aspect would not be common of injury from CPR.” PI04063. “ The intercostal muscles showed signs of hemorrhage in the area of these broken ribs. The intercostal muscles are located in between each rib. Hemorrhage would be normal in cases of blunt trauma to the rib cage. ” PI04063.

’s lower right ribs were broken. The medical examiner attributes broken ribs to CPR but Tampa Rescue says that no CPR was performed. The Medical Examiner report states “ ” ME3. However, Lt. Scott Ashley stated “ Lt. Ashley was asked to comment on the broken ribs after reviewing the Autopsy Report. Lt. Ashley advised PI04063. ” PI04063. Medical Examiner’s determination of “Manner of Death” is inconsistent with the TPD GO report accounts from witnesses. The Medical Examiner’s determination that the “Manner of Death” was “ Accident ( Decedent Fell and struck her head on table) ” (GO11 and ME) is inconsistent with the TPD GO report accounts from Muhammad (GO18-19) and Nafish (GO19-20) which state that the deceased deliberately and repeatedly slammed her head onto a coffee table and the carpet floor.

The Medical Examiner’s determination that the “Manner of Death” was “ ( ” (GO11 and ME) is inconsistent with the TPD GO report accounts from Muhammad (GO18-19) and Nafish (GO19-20) which state that the deceased deliberately and repeatedly slammed her head onto a coffee table and the carpet floor. The fine mist of blood splatter shown in crime scene photographs appears to be inconsistent with the TPD GO report witness accounts that all traumas were self inflicted over the coffee table. Crime scene photographs DSC_531, DSC_536 and DSC_537 show a distinctive “mist” or very light blood covering a fairly large area of carpet. This blood mist over a large area would more likely result from trauma to the head forcing the head to rapidly rotate than it would be the result of self slamming of head on and over the coffee table.

Crime scene photographs DSC_531, DSC_536 and DSC_537 show a distinctive “mist” or very light blood covering a fairly large area of carpet. This blood mist over a large area would more likely result from trauma to the head forcing the head to rapidly rotate than it would be the result of self slamming of head on and over the coffee table. Blood spots on a large (L) brown sweatshirt are unexplained. (PI05053) TPD collected Item 15 (GO25) depicted in crime scene photographs DSC_620 thru DSC_635 which contained spots of blood. All photos are llinked at bottom of this letter. The spots which are diminished in appearance look like they have been wiped in attempts to clean. TPD did not identify the owner of the shirt, determine if this was blood spatter versus blood transfer, determine whose blood it was or investigate how the blood got on the shirt. This shirt must have caught a crime scene technician’s interest since sixteen photos were taken. It is unlikely that the deceased wore a large shirt of this kind given her petite size and the matching tight clothes that she is shown wearing in crime scene photograph DSC_554.

TPD collected Item 15 (GO25) depicted in crime scene photographs DSC_620 thru DSC_635 which contained spots of blood. All photos are llinked at bottom of this letter. The spots which are diminished in appearance look like they have been wiped in attempts to clean. TPD did not identify the owner of the shirt, determine if this was blood spatter versus blood transfer, determine whose blood it was or investigate how the blood got on the shirt. This shirt must have caught a crime scene technician’s interest since sixteen photos were taken. It is unlikely that the deceased wore a large shirt of this kind given her petite size and the matching tight clothes that she is shown wearing in crime scene photograph DSC_554. Blood spots on one stair step were not explained. How did blood spots land on the fifth step down from the top of the stairs as shown in crime scene photographs DSC_492 thru DSC_497? All photos are linked at the bottom of this letter. The spots which are diminished in appearance look like they have been wiped and smeared in attempts to clean. Could the drops in that location have occurred from an attempt to move the deceased’s body? If the blood was transferred by foot shouldn’t more blood be found somewhere on the first four steps from the top? Whose blood is it and why is it only in this one spot?

How did blood spots land on the fifth step down from the top of the stairs as shown in crime scene photographs DSC_492 thru DSC_497? All photos are linked at the bottom of this letter. The spots which are diminished in appearance look like they have been wiped and smeared in attempts to clean. Could the drops in that location have occurred from an attempt to move the deceased’s body? If the blood was transferred by foot shouldn’t more blood be found somewhere on the first four steps from the top? Whose blood is it and why is it only in this one spot? Fatima’s family would not let her return to Brazil or the Middle East (GO19) or leave the house on her own (PI04162). Fatima was primarily confined to the home where she was the subject of constant arguments with several members of the family (PI0421).

was primarily confined to the home where she was the subject of constant arguments with several members of the family (PI0421). There is no mention if TPD interviewed neighbors in an attempt to see if anyone heard, saw or knew something related to Fatima ’s death. (PI05053). Prestige Investigations, Inc. interviewed neighbors as reported in PI0416 and PI0421. Prestige Investigations, Inc. interviewed the neighbors and learned: A neighbor expressed concern about discussing this matter because the people next door are Muslims and she doesn’t want any trouble. PI 04212. A neighbor stated that the deceased married her cousin but he divorced her because she could not have children. PI04212. At some point in time, (1) Sarah (deceased’s American name) had told her (a neighbor) that her (the deceased’s) older brother, (name not mentioned), treated her badly and had done unthinkable things to her. The deceased asked the neighbor not to speak about it. PI04211. Tahane, the deceased’s sister-in-law, argued a lot with the deceased. PI04161. This was also the case with the mother. A neighbor said that deceased was divorced and that was shameful in the Muslim family, that her father did not live in the house and that the son Ali was the eldest son and he was the one who protected the honor of the family in his fathers stead. PI04161. A neighbor said that the family did not allow the deceased to drive even though she had a valid drivers license. PI04162. Immediately after the funeral the mother was sent out of the country possibly to Palestine or Israel . PI05053. Muhammad Abdallah Hmeid was arrested on February 6, 2010 for “ aggravated assault – using a deadly weapon ” according to Temple Terrace Police Report number 2010-00530. This document is labeled Arrest. Muhammad allegedly struck a man in the head with the butt of his 9mm hand gun during an altercation causing the man’s head to bleed extensively. The man allegedly struck in the head sued Muhammad Hmeid on June 10, 2010 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court Case 10-CA-011943. The civil suit is open and copies of the online Clerk of the Circuit Court report are included with the Arrest report.

This document is labeled Arrest. Muhammad allegedly struck a man in the head with the butt of his 9mm hand gun during an altercation causing the man’s head to bleed extensively. The man allegedly struck in the head sued Muhammad Hmeid on June 10, 2010 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court Case 10-CA-011943. The civil suit is open and copies of the online Clerk of the Circuit Court report are included with the Arrest report. Prestige Investigations, Inc. summarized “ …there is a glaring absence of any suspicion, from either report (TPD and ME reports), that the decedent could have possibly been a victim of an assault that eventually caused her death. The absence of any suspicion that the decedent had been assaulted is difficult to understand. Many questions remain that should be resolved. A medical review of the autopsy report with the photos of the decedent may give a professional medical view as to what may have happened to her.” PI05054.

All documents referenced in this letter are posted online as outlined below under Online Documents.

Therefore, given the above information we respectfully request that the Tampa Police Department reopen this case and the State Attorney open an independent investigation to conduct a much more thorough investigation regarding the death of Fatima Abdallah.

Sincerely,

David Caton

Executive Director

Online Documents

Tampa Police General Offense report

View GO at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDeathReportGO.pdf

Last number after above file name referenced above is the page number of that document.



Medical Examiner report

View ME at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDeathReportAutopsy.pdf

Last number after above file name referenced above is the page number of that document.



911 Dispatch Call Hardcopy report

View DIS at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDispatch.pdf

Last number after above file name referenced above is the page number of that document.



Prestige Investigations, Inc. reports

View PI0406 at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDeathPrestige04062011.pdf

View PI0416 at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDeathPrestige04162011.pdf

View PI0421 at http://floridafamily.org/images/TampaDeathPrestige04212011.pdf

View PI0505 at http://floridafamily.org/images/PI0505.pdf

Last number after above file name referenced above is the page number of that document.



Crime Scene Photos



Deceased’s body DSC_558 DSC_554 as referenced above

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Deceased's body



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Tampa Police Make Up New Undocumented Medical Excuse for Fatimah’s Death.

The Tampa Police Department and Medical Examiner responded to Florida Family Association’s concerns regarding Fatima Abdallah’s death through articles in The Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times.

These officials’ responses have created even more inconsistencies in their findings regarding the death of Fatima Abdallah.



The Tampa Tribune reported on May 20, 2011 that Laura Hair, of the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Department said, "To me the evidence goes into it being an accident where she fell and possibly had a seizure," Hair said. "I'm not seeing evidence of a beating."

Dr. Hair’s finding that Fatima “fell” is inconsistent with the conflicting accounts given by the family that “she repeatedly struck her head on table until she became unconscious” (TPD GO page 11) and that “the decedent had been cleaning, and may have passed out due to cleaning fumes” (TPD GO page 16.)

Dr. Hair’s press statement that the deceased possibly had a seizure is new information in this case. Her autopsy reports no observations or findings that the deceased possibly had a seizure. The Tampa Police General Offense Hardcopy reports no findings of a seizure.

The St. Petersburg Times quotes Assistant Police Chief Marc Hamlin on May 20, 2011 as saying “’So it could be that the convulsing of the body is what the family could have thought was her maybe trying to hurt herself,’ he said.”

Again officials appear to be giving the public information that is not found in their own reports. Mr. Hamlin’s statement is contradicted by testimony in the Tampa Police Department General Offense Hardcopy report (GO18-19): “Fatima then threw herself down, attempting to pull away from her mother. When she went down to the ground, she struck her face on the coffee table. She began to get up and she grabbed onto her face, noticing that her face was all bloody. She then took her head and smashed it into the coffee table repeatedly several times, on her own accord. Her mother attempted to move her away from the table, tell her to calm down and begging her to stop. She got her away from the table a bit and then Fatima began smashing her face into the ground, banged her head striking the carpet. She did this several times before she stood up, she was on her feet for a second or so when she fell directly back.”

The St. Petersburg Times also reported in the May 20th article: “Hamlin said the initial investigation was thorough, but once the medical examiner determined that the death was an accident, ‘there's no criminal investigation to be done afterward.’”

Except for information gathered at the scene Tampa Police conducted NO criminal investigation for 57 days until Tampa Police Homicide Detective Sonja Wise reclassified this case from “Unexplained Death” to “Accidental Death” on October 13, 2009 based upon Dr. Harris’ autopsy report. (TPD GO report page 21)

Both the Medical Examiner and Tampa Police Department now try to explain Fatima Abdallah’s death with the new “convulsions” theory which is not found in the TPD General Offense report or autopsy and which is contradicted by witness statements in the General Offense report.



The Tampa Police Department did nothing to investigate this case for 57 days after they left the scene and now conveniently claim they won’t because the medical examiner report is final. The Tampa Police Department ignored for 57 days and now continues to ignore many inconsistencies in their own report and failed to investigate the evidence they had as listed in the eight points outlined below.

The Tampa Police Department:

Did not catch the fact that Muhammad called 911 dispatch and not his brother Ali as the TPD report states. Did not catch the fact that Muhammad told 911 dispatch a different version of what happened to Fatima than he told detectives on the scene. Relied upon a family member instead of an independent translator to translate the account of the only alleged witness to Fatima’s death. That witness left the country just days after Fatima died. Did not verify the travel of one of Fatima’s brothers from Ft. Myers to Tampa which was the assumed reason for the 2 ½ hour delay before anyone in the family called 911. Did not properly account or resolve how Fatima’s lower right ribs 4 thru 9 were broken and other injuries were sustained to her face and mouth. Did not fully investigate or identify blood evidence on a large shirt, floor and stairs. Did not interview neighbors. General Offense report completed by various police personnel qualified the Cause of Death as “Homicide” and “Undetermined” and “Unexplained” but was reclassified to “Accident” by Medical Examiner.

Tampa Police have determined that Fatima Abdallah killed herself by repeatedly striking her face against a coffee table and the floor. It is Florida Family Association’s opinion that given the circumstances of Fatima’s personal life and the facts surrounding her death that her demise looks more like an honor killing. Florida Family Association has called upon Mayor Bob Buckhorn to have the Tampa Police Department reopen and fully investigate Fatima Abdullah’s death. However, Mayor Buckhorn, Tampa Police and State Attorney Mark Ober have not changed their position regarding reopening this case.

Florida Medical Examiner Commission Declines to Review.

Florida Family Association sent out an email alert on June 23, 2011 which reported that the Florida Medical Examiners Commission had agreed to review the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s report and autopsy involving the suspicious death of Fatima Abdallah.

However, the Florida Medical Examiners Commission responded with a letter which basically states “The Medical Examiners Commission does not have the statutory authority to compel the District Medical Examiner to change the manner of death.” Click here to read Florida Medical Examiners Commission letter. The Commission subsequently clarified “The phrase not legally sufficient simply means that Dr. Hair adhered to all of the requirements in Rule 11G, Chapter 406, F.S., and the Practice Guidelines, and that there is no legal basis for any disciplinary action. It is not meant to be a reflection on the complaint itself.”

Given the circumstances of Fatima Abdallah’s personal life and the facts surrounding her death there is a need to reopen this case to fully investigate Fatima Abdullah’s death to determine if her demise was truly an accident or honor killing.

Why is it important for the case involving Fatima Abdallah to be properly investigated and appropriate charges filed? Because if law enforcement is allowed to exempt violent crimes because police are intimidated by the culture or persuaded by political correctness then where will that policy end? Islamic cultural code condones wife beating, polygamy, female body punishment, marital rape, honor killing and most threatening the killing of infidels especially Christians and Jews.

Tampa Police Crime Scene Technician Fears Muslim Reprisal.

Florida Family Association (FFA) now has direct evidence that officials with the Tampa Police Department are intimidated by the possible involvement of religious creed in the death of the Palestinian woman named Fatima Abdallah. Tampa Police Crime Scene Technician Shelby Garman called Florida Family Association’s private investigator on July 26, 2011 to request that her name be removed from the Tampa Police Department GO report posted at Floridafamily.org because of “fear of Muslim reprisal.” Click here to read our private investigator’s report.



Florida Family Association wanted more documentation to support our private investigator’s report so we sent an email to Shelby Garman. When Florida Family Association asked Shelby Garman by email to confirm her request she did. Click here to read her reply and email property validation information that documents she sent the email from the Tampa Police Department. This Crime Scene Technician’s statement and request verifies what Florida Family Association has alleged all along that the Tampa Police Department and/or the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Office were intimidated by the possible involvement of religious creed in the death of Fatimah Abdallah. It appears that some officials feared Muslim reprisal, feared media attention if the case became public and therefore decided to promptly call this violent death an accident without any further investigation beyond the incident date.