Staten Island, New York – A former Olympic boxer who once represented Egypt in international competition has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal killing of his daughter, a crime that shocked communities in both Pennsylvania and New York.
Kabary Salem, 57, was convicted last month of first-degree murder for killing his 25-year-old daughter, Ola Salem, in October 2019. Her body was later found in Bloomingdale Park on Staten Island, partially covered with branches and leaves. On Wednesday, a Lebanon County judge delivered the only possible sentence for the charge: life behind bars, with no chance of release.
The Crime That Ended a Promising Young Woman’s Life
Investigators say Ola Salem suffered asphyxiation and blunt force trauma, with bruises visible on her face, neck, and legs. Before her death, she had become well known in her community for supporting survivors of domestic violence. Friends described her as determined, grounded, and exceptionally strong.
“She was very, very strong,” one friend told The New York Times. “It beats me how anyone could have killed her, because she was stronger than some men.”
How Investigators Pieced Together What Happened
The case relied heavily on surveillance footage, GPS data, and forensic evidence, which together formed a timeline that prosecutors said proved Kabary Salem’s guilt.
Footage showed Salem driving a rental car throughout the night of the killing. Two people were initially seen in the vehicle when it arrived at a hotel. Later, he was recorded alone at a Lowe’s purchasing a blue Kobalt shovel, which would later be found near the victim’s body.
Between late night and early morning hours, GPS records placed his movements from Pennsylvania to New York City. By 4:40 a.m., the car entered Bloomingdale Park; by 4:59 a.m., he was seen leaving Staten Island and heading back toward Pennsylvania.
Prosecutors also revealed that Ola fought desperately for her life, resulting in her father’s DNA being found under her fingernails. The shovel found 100 yards from her body matched the one he purchased hours earlier.
Disposal, Departure, and Arrest Abroad
After returning the rental car in New Jersey later that day, Salem voluntarily spoke with NYPD detectives — then fled the country. He eventually surfaced in Kuwait and was extradited back to the United States nearly a year later.
A grand jury indicted him in December 2020.
Judge Rejects Defendant’s Plea of Innocence
During sentencing, Salem cried and claimed the police fabricated evidence. The judge responded firmly, pointing to the jury’s unanimous verdict.
“The circumstantial evidence in this case was overwhelming,” Judge Bradford Charles said. “The truth you now have to confront is that a jury found you committed first-degree murder.”
Statement from the Attorney General
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday described the crime starkly:
“A father is supposed to love and protect his child, but this defendant committed one of the cruelest acts imaginable — he murdered his daughter in cold blood.”
Sunday added that while nothing could bring Ola back, the life sentence delivered “a measure of justice and accountability.”
A Family and Community Forever Changed
Ola Salem’s death devastated those who knew her, especially given her advocacy work supporting vulnerable women. Her life stood for safety and protection — making the circumstances of her death even more painful for friends and advocates.
Safety and Awareness Resources
Cases like this highlight the importance of recognizing early signs of familial or intimate partner violence. Advocates encourage individuals to seek help immediately if they or someone they know feels unsafe around a family member or partner.
Conclusion
The life sentence brings closure to a case that spanned multiple states and international borders. For many, it marks the end of a long wait for justice in a crime that stunned both the boxing world and the survivor advocacy community.
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