On June 27, a distressing scene awaited Houston police as they were summoned to an apartment complex. They were met by a seven-year-old child, who directed them to her mother, Laurielle Faulk, 29, who was underneath a green blanket on a couch. A quick examination confirmed Faulk had been shot and was no longer alive.
Emerging details from an affidavit lodged two and a half months later point to 25-year-old Lakiri L. Tolliver’s involvement in Faulk’s death. Further allegations against Tolliver include her returning to the scene to steal Faulk’s personal items, with an official arrest announcement made in July by Houston authorities.
Recounting events, the young girl revealed that the preceding night her mother, Tolliver, and an unknown man were in the apartment. The subsequent morning, she was ushered to her bedroom by Tolliver, who then covered her deceased mother with the blanket.
Investigative efforts revealed that Tolliver took Faulk’s mobile phone, attempting to shift suspicion by using Faulk’s Instagram to communicate with family, accusing an unidentified man. Tolliver’s multiple versions of the event sequence raised eyebrows.
Security footage at Faulk’s home captured Tolliver accessing the phone close to 10:30 a.m. Moments later, a gunshot is audible. Preliminary investigations hint at jealousy, with Tolliver possibly suspecting Faulk of engaging romantically with her boyfriend.
After the incident, camera footage depicted Tolliver and the man, laden with bags, leaving Faulk’s apartment, returning multiple times to gather belongings, including luxury bags owned by Faulk.
Records indicate a 911 call from Tolliver near 6 p.m., but it was quickly terminated. Further, on July 11, she appears to have forcibly entered Faulk’s residence, departing with more items. Her apprehension came three days later, on July 14. While Tolliver initially denied any involvement, confronted with video evidence, she then pointed fingers at her male associate, despite clips suggesting he was resting at the time.
At present, Tolliver awaits further legal proceedings, with bail denied.