Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS
    • Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter
    • Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America
    • Another Attempt to Break the Silence: Why Orthodox Christians in America Must Stand with the Persecuted in Russia
    • Assembly of Bishops Newsletter – Q1 2025
    • Opinion: The Theological School’s Experiments
    • New Icon of All Saints of North America to Debut at 21st All-American Council
    • IOTA Future Leaders Program
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Egyptian Christian Immigrants Murdered, Beheaded in NJ

    Egyptian Christian Immigrants Murdered, Beheaded in NJ

    0
    By Webmaster on March 7, 2013 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    (Photo: New Jersey State Police) Yusuf Ibrahim of New Jersey has been charged with with two counts of desecration of human remains and two counts of murder in the deaths of 25-year-old Hanny F. Tawadros and 27-year-old Amgad A. Konds of Jersey City, N.J.
    (Photo: New Jersey State Police)
    Yusuf Ibrahim of New Jersey has been charged with with two counts of desecration of human remains and two counts of murder in the deaths of 25-year-old Hanny F. Tawadros and 27-year-old Amgad A. Konds of Jersey City, N.J.

    Source: The Christian Post

    By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter

    n a crime that New Jersey authorities have described as heinous, a local man is believed to have shot to death two Coptic Christians before severing their heads and hands and burying their bodies in the backyard of a relative’s abandoned home.

    “These were grisly murders in which the defendant allegedly shot both victims in the chest at close range,” said Attorney General Chiesa in a press release. “We allege that the defendant was ruthless and calculating in the manner in which he carried out the killings and attempted to prevent identification of the victims by cutting off their heads and hands before burying their bodies. The New Jersey State Police has conducted a thorough investigation, which will enable us to secure justice for the victims.”

    The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Yusuf Ibrahim of Jersey City, N.J., whom they apprehended Feb. 10. He has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of desecration of human remains. His bail was set at $3.3 million cash, and he is currently being held in a Hudson County, N.J., jail.

    Police say Ibrahim got into an altercation on Feb. 5 with two acquaintances, 25-year-old Hanny F. Tawadros and 27-year-old Amgad A. Konds, while in a white Mercedes-Benz belonging to one of the victims. The men, all Egyptian immigrants, were in Jersey City at the time.

    After being alerted on Feb. 7 of suspicious activity at a home previously belonging to an uncle in Buena Vista Township, located about two hours from Jersey City, police discovered the bodies of Tawadros and Konds in a shallow grade behind the home, and later discovered the men’s heads and hands at a separate nearby location.

    Ibrahim had allegedly driven the Mercedes-Benz to Philadelphia after the killings and tried to burn the vehicle on Feb. 6. He was eventually traced by state police to an apartment in Hudson County, where he was arrested Sunday, Feb. 10.

    Follow us

    Tawadros and Konds do not have any relatives in the U.S., and were said to be hard workers who supported their families back home in Egypt. The men shared an apartment in Jersey City.

    Ibrahim, a former resident of Indiana, reportedly said nothing during his first court appearance via a video link from the Hudson County jail. He appeared in a green jumpsuit and his long curly hair had been cut very low. It was also reported that Ibrahim has been charged in a separate case for armed robbery.

    A former roommate of the suspect told NJ.com that she couldn’t believe Ibrahim had committed the crimes of which he has been accused.

    “They are describing him as a monster, but that’s not how I’ve known him,” said Emma Abdelrehim, who called herself a close family friend of Ibrahim. “He was an awesome person, awesome with kids, and he would never harm anyone, not even an animal.”

    “What I saw on TV and what I read I could not believe. That is not his character, and I don’t think he has done such a crime,” added Abdelrehim.

    She described Ibrahim as a Muslim but noted that he wasn’t particularly religious.

    A report from WABC-TV indicated that some members of the Saint George & Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church in Jersey City to which Tawadros and Konds reportedly belonged wondered if religion may have played a part in their killings. The fact that the victims were beheaded have also raised such questions, as beheadings are common in some sects of Islam and in countries with Quran-inspired Sharia laws.

    “It was crazy what happened to these two. Do they deserve it? No. Was it expected? Never. And it’s just sad,” a local church member told WABC-TV.

    Sgt. Adam Grossman of the N.J. State Police informed The Christian Post Wednesday that a motive for the killings had not yet been determined. When asked if there was any strength to speculation that religion may have played a part in the crimes, Grossman said only that the investigation was ongoing.

    Father David Bebawy, pastor of Saint George & Saint Shenouda Coptic Orthodox Church, told The Christian Post that he did not know Tawadros and Konds personally, but their attendance to mass was noted by other members. The church conducted funerals for the two men last week and arranged for their remains to be flown to Egypt. Father Bebawy said one casket was sent to the city of Asyut, and the other to Aswan, Egypt.

    Originally published on February 20, 2013.

    [subscribe2]
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleOCA Youth Department launches new grant program
    Next Article Fascinating Facts Behind the Forty Martyrs of Sebastea

    Related Posts

    July 11, 20251 Min Read

    The Power of a Backpack: A Short Film by FOCUS

    July 8, 20251 Min Read

    Suprasl: Enhancing the Awareness of Unity – July 2025 Newsletter

    July 5, 20251 Min Read

    Video: A Vision for Orthodox Christianity’s Future in North America

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Register for OCL's Annual Conference - October 11, 2025

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    Jul 16
    12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EDT

    John Zizioulas’s “Remembering the Future” (Virtual)

    View Calendar
    Recent Comments
    • Lou Gaviras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • pERRY tORMAS on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Perry Tormas on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Myron Kaleras on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • Levantios on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jerry Maras on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • John on 90% OF PEOPLE OF GREEK DESCENT HAVE LEFT THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
    • Jupiter's Son on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Timothy Mulligan on Ethno-Phyletism: A Problem for the American Church
    • Angela Skinner on Orthodox Christian Unity in America – Papers in Support (New: See Paper No. 5)
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2023 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.