Oxygen is re-airing the Snapped investigation into the murder of Jerry Wheeler, a businessman from Douglas County, Georgia, who was robbed and murdered by his neighbor, Sahara Fakhir.
On June 19, 2013, the remains of 66-year-old Wheeler were found in his home; he had been stabbed to death. The body was discovered by his son, a deputy in the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, who became concerned when he couldn’t reach his dad on the phone.
Wheeler’s wife was out of town at the time, and he was suddenly attacked as he cooked dinner. Wheeler’s vegetables were still on the stove when the detectives turned up. A number of items had been stolen from the home.
Fakhir was initially arrested the following month on charges of giving the police a false name and address. The cops were then able to link her to Wheeler’s murder.
During her first court appearance, Fakhir told the judge that she didn’t need an appointed lawyer because she would be represented by Allah.
The killer explained, “Allah is my lawyer, and if you do not release me, Allah will have his vengeance on you like he did in 2009 when he sent the flood. It’s only going to be worse.”
She was refused bail and has remained in custody since her arrest.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelSahara Fakhir convicted of Jerry Wheeler murder
In September 2014, a jury promptly found Sahara Tabriz Fakhir guilty of murder, armed robbery, and burglary.
She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and is currently incarcerated at the Arrendale State Prison in Alto, GA.
Fakhir had previously been sentenced to five years on charges of committing terrorist acts.
Jerry Wheeler remembered following Sahara Fakhir conviction
After the sentencing, interim District Attorney Brian Fortner wrote in a statement, “Sahara Fakhir brutally murdered a completely innocent man. Jerry Wheeler was a hard working pillar of the Douglas County Community. He was at home doing nothing more than cooking his dinner when Ms. Fakhir attacked him and stabbed him to death.”
Fortner added, “The jury’s speedy verdict reflected the overwhelming amount of evidence against the defendant. It brought justice for Jerry Wheeler.”
Jerry Wheeler was the owner of an auto shop and was a husband, father, and grandfather.
This episode of Snapped re-airs Monday at 8/7c on Oxygen.