Nearly three years after the death of 22-year-old Anastasia Paul, Abdul Mboob admitted to killing her. He accepted a plea deal that sentences him to 34 years in prison after previously turning down a similar offer last summer.
“It’s definitely not possible to get closure, especially with the sentence that he was offered,” said Jelina Paul, the victim’s sister. “My sister should be here; we have a whole family behind us that’s devastated for the rest of our lives.”
Paul’s family attended the plea agreement hearing in full force to honor her. During the proceedings, Anastasia’s mother, Jeanine Lavoy, told the judge that Paul was pregnant at the time of her death and said no prison sentence could ever equal the life that was taken.
“A sentence of 34 years suggests that one day the person responsible could walk free, continue living and experience things my daughter never will again. That is a realty I cannot accept,” Lavoy said.
In July 2023, Vernon Police responded to Paul’s apartment for a welfare check, where they found her dead. During the investigation, Mboob told officers he strangled her in anger and said he felt remorse.
“This was the final result of a documented history of reoccurring domestic violence, control, and abuse,” Lavoy said.
Police said Paul’s one-year-old son was present at the time of the killing. Her family is now raising the child.
“He won’t get to experience having a mom for the rest of his life, it’s sad,” said Tashim Mosely, the victim’s brother. “I’m glad I’m behind him, by his side, to give him all the support.”
As Paul’s family prepares for Mboob’s sentencing, they say they are focused on preserving her memory. They remember Paul as bright, loving, and the life of the party.
“You would need to have a conversation with her to understand how much — her out of all people did not deserve this,” Jelina said.
Mboob’s formal sentencing is scheduled for July 31.