Court records show that a 47-year-old man, later identified as Dayan, has been found guilty of murdering his 43-year-old estranged wife, Tamera, and then burning her body with the assistance of his girlfriend. Authorities announced the conviction, and jurors are recommending a life sentence without the possibility of parole for Dayan, in addition to seven years for a desecration charge.
The murder occurred on November 15, 2021, just a day before a scheduled court hearing about a protective order Tamera had filed against Dayan. Dayan’s 35-year-old girlfriend, later identified as Lauren, faces charges of desecration of a human corpse in federal court, revealing the depths of the conspiracy and cover-up involved.
According to Lauren’s testimony, the confrontation that led to Tamera’s death began over the sale of a lawnmower. Tamera allegedly brandished a gun at Dayan, who then took the weapon and fatally shot her. As per the affidavit, Dayan then put Tamera’s body in a horse trough and burned it at a relative’s property. Dayan then put the remains in a plastic tote and hid them at an abandoned home. Lauren’s role extended to assisting in the burning of the body, as detailed in a plea agreement. She admitted to stoking the fire that consumed Tamera’s remains.
Tamera desperately tried to protect herself from Dayan out of fear before her death. She had previously contacted authorities, reporting threats of gun violence from her husband. In response, she obtained a protective order, relocated to another state for safety, and was in the process of selling her home. Despite these precautions, Tamera returned to retrieve her belongings and attend the protective order hearing, a decision that tragically led to her murder. Lauren awaits sentencing for her involvement in the crime.
