Single mother of 1 died after her ex-boyfriend, who wanted to get back together with her, used phone charging cords to strangle her to death; man found guilty
North Carolina – In a deeply unsettling case in Virginia, a 31-year-old man, identified as T. Frye, has been convicted of the first-degree murder of his 28-year-old ex-girlfriend, identified as K. Montgomery, in a crime marked by obsession and violence. The verdict, delivered after just an hour of deliberation, underscores the gravity of the evidence against Frye, who was accused of the calculated murder of Montgomery in October 2022.
The tragic series of events leading to Montgomery’s death began to unravel when her lifeless body was discovered by her roommate, showing signs of a brutal attack. The prosecution presented a chilling scenario where Frye, driven by jealousy and rage, committed the heinous act. According to prosecutors, Frye was obsessed with Montgomery following their breakup, and his inability to accept the separation fueled his actions. On the fateful night, Frye strangled Montgomery using phone charging cords, a method of murder that was substantiated by the physical evidence found at the scene. These cords, found wrapped in a blanket on Montgomery’s bed, matched the linear markings on her neck, indicating a violent struggle that led to her untimely death.
The trial of Frye detailed the accused’s alleged stalking and dangerous actions prior to Montgomery’s murder. After their breakup and Montgomery’s subsequent disregard for him, Frye’s texts displayed an obsession with reconciling with the 28-year-old mother of a four-year-old girl and how he quickly turned hostile and aggressive. These messages were presented in court on last week. Further damning evidence came from Frye’s digital activities. Prior to the murder, he obsessively searched online for details about Montgomery’s apartment and even tried to track her movements and interactions through social media and dating apps. His fixation with Montgomery was evident from the barrage of abusive and threatening texts he sent her after she attempted to distance herself from him.
The courtroom heard how Frye’s narrative of the events kept changing during the investigation, initially denying his presence at the scene but later suggesting a blackout during the incident. His defense argued a lack of direct evidence placing him at the scene, but the overwhelming circumstantial evidence, including his own inconsistent statements and the physical evidence, painted a different picture.
Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Nance emphasized the critical role that the digital and physical evidence played in shaping the jury’s quick decision. The compelling nature of the evidence presented, coupled with the emotional testimonies from Montgomery’s family, left little doubt of Frye’s guilt in the minds of the jury. The conviction brings a significant closure to the family of Montgomery, who described her as a vibrant and loving mother, tragically taken from them in such brutal circumstances. Her family, while relieved by the verdict, spoke about continuing her legacy by raising awareness about domestic violence and supporting other victims.
Frye now faces a sentencing scheduled for May 7, where he could be sentenced to life in prison, a punishment that reflects the severity of his crimes. The case not only highlights the dangers of domestic violence but also the importance of taking threats and signs of obsession seriously. As the community reflects on the tragic events, the hope is that this case serves as a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of domestic violence and the need for robust mechanisms to protect potential victims before it escalates to irreversible outcomes.
