Hundreds gathered at Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem on Saturday to attend the funeral of Lovay Williams, a 27-year-old mother who was fatally beaten in her Washington Heights apartment earlier this month. Williams’ death, which occurred in front of her 7-year-old daughter, has sparked public outrage and raised questions about the New York Police Department’s handling of the case.

Lovay Williams was memorialized in a white carriage pulled by two white horses as mourners paid their respects inside the church on West 116th Street. Her brother, Nuquan Williams Jr., expressed profound grief during the service. Wearing a necklace with a photo of his sister, he described the family’s sorrow and frustration over her untimely death. Williams’ young daughter, who was present when police discovered her mother’s body, was escorted to view the open casket during the mass. The girl wore a green dress, one of her mother’s favorite colors, symbolizing the family’s effort to provide her with support amid the tragedy.

The victim’s grandfather, Jose Chango Alvarez, acknowledged his pain at losing his granddaughter but said he found solace in his belief that she is at peace. “Even though she was taken too early from us, life is gonna move on, but we’re gonna move on in her name, Lovay,” Alvarez said during the service.

Williams’ boyfriend, Tiliek Thompson, is currently jailed on Rikers Island and faces murder charges in connection with the attack that led to her death on September 6.

The incident has drawn significant criticism of the NYPD after reports emerged that officers failed to detain Thompson immediately when he turned himself in. Former NYPD Detective Michael Alcazar criticized the response, stating that police protocol should have required officers to hold the suspect until homicide detectives arrived. Alcazar explained that even in the absence of homicide detectives at the scene, officers could have contacted the nightwatch detective squad responsible for the midnight to 8 a.m. shift, and temporarily detained Thompson at the precinct. He described the failure as a significant lapse that is likely to result in disciplinary action, including potential consequences for the supervisor and commanding officer involved.

The NYPD has recently expanded its force by hiring 4,056 new officers in 2025, the largest influx in department history. To meet recruitment goals, the department has lowered certain requirements, such as reducing the mandatory college credits from 60 to 24. Alcazar suggested that such changes may contribute to shortcomings in the execution of protocols during critical incidents.

As the investigation into Williams’ murder continues, community members and law enforcement officials face mounting pressure to address procedural failures and ensure accountability in cases involving violent crime.