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Bronx Man Sentenced to 18 Years for Strangling Girlfriend at Mental Health Facility
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the sentencing of Waheed Foster, 44, to 18 years in prison following his guilty plea to manslaughter in the death of his girlfriend, Jessica Miller. Foster strangled Miller during her visit to his residence at a mental health facility in the Bronx in August 2022.
Incident Details
According to the investigation, Foster and Miller, 41, entered the facility together on August 4, 2022, at approximately 3:35 p.m. They signed in at the front desk and proceeded to Foster’s room. Later that evening, Foster left the building and did not return.
On August 6, 2022, facility staff conducted a wellness check and discovered Miller’s lifeless body in Foster’s bed. An investigation by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner confirmed strangulation as the cause of death.
Foster was subsequently indicted in November 2022 while already in custody for a separate case in Queens.
Court Ruling and Sentence
Foster pleaded guilty to first-degree Manslaughter and third-degree Assault in October 2024. On December 19, 2024, Bronx Supreme Court Justice Audrey Stone sentenced him to 18 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. This sentence will run consecutively to a 22-year sentence Foster received for his Queens case.
District Attorney Clark described the case as a tragic example of domestic violence. “The defendant strangled the victim in his room and fled, leaving her lifeless body for days until staff discovered her during a wellness check,” Clark stated.
A Troubled History
Foster’s criminal record paints a disturbing picture of violence and instability.
In 1995, at the age of 14, he murdered his 82-year-old foster grandmother.
Years later, he stabbed his sister with a screwdriver.
In 2010, Foster attacked workers at a psychiatric outpatient treatment center, stabbing one employee and striking two others.
Diagnosed with schizophrenia, paranoid type, and anti-social personality disorder, Foster’s history highlights the complex intersection of mental health issues and violent behavior.
Justice for Jessica Miller
Jessica Miller’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers of domestic violence, particularly when compounded by untreated mental health issues. Authorities and advocates continue to stress the importance of support systems for survivors of abuse and the need for early intervention in cases involving violent behavior.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, reach out to local resources or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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