Man Indicted For Murder of 22-Year-Old Wife In Their Crown Heights Home

CROWN HEIGHTS – Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced today that 29-year-old Barry Wells has been indicted for the murder of his 22-year-old wife, Tonie Wells, who was found dead in the basement of their Crown Heights brownstone in December.

Wells was arraigned on Thursday at Brooklyn Supreme Court on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder, aggravated criminal contempt, first-degree criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense.

According to the investigation, at approximately 8:30am on Wednesday, December 27, Wells and his wife reportedly got into an argument inside their home on Sterling Place. During the argument, the woman’s 21-month-old daughter was locked out of the apartment and found crying in the hallway by a neighbor who took her in, the DA’s statement reads. The neighbor later returned to check in on the little girl’s mother after the argument ended.

The neighbor found Tonie Wells unconscious in the basement. She was later pronounced dead at the scene. An active order of protection was in effect against Barry Wells at the time his wife was killed, according to Gonzalez.

Police apprehended Wells later that day in New Rochelle where he fled to after the incident. The autopsy determined the cause of Tonie Wells’ death was asphyxiation, including compression of the neck.

Barry Wells is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on March 14. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top count.

“This defendant allegedly killed the woman he purportedly loved,” Gonzalez said. “It is critical that we do all we can to combat domestic violence which in this instance escalated, led to a senseless death and left this young mother’s family and friends to struggle with such a tragic loss.”