On April 5, Teklemariam was found stabbed to death in an apartment at around in the 1300 block of Peabody Street NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
He was found in his apartment suffering from multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, though it is believed he was assaulted days earlier, police said.
Two women, Tiffany Taylor Gray, 22, of Bowie, and 19-year-old Audrey Miller, who has no fixed address, were later identified as suspects and arrested in connection to his death last month.
The accused killers reportedly did not stop at the fatal stabbing.
According to reports by Law & Crime and WUSA9, Teklemariam's thumb was removed while he was near death, and it was allegedly later used to make purchases and to access a cash app.
It is further alleged that the pair stole several items from Teklemariam's apartment, and Gray was using the man as her "Sugar Daddy," WUSA9 said.
"An anonymous witness told police that Gray and Teklemariam knew each other and referred to him as Gray's 'sugar daddy,'" The Washington Post reported, citing court documents.
"The witness told police that the group of people involved in the attack had cut off Teklemariam’s thumb and said they had observed Gray using Teklemariam’s severed thumb to steal money from his account."
Gray and Miller are both facing charges that include murder while armed in connection to the incident. No details about their next court appearance have been released.
They're being held without bond.
Teklemariam's left behind a wife and two young children, according to a GoFundMe set up for his family, as they sought to return his body to Ethiopia. His death remains under investigation.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Montclair and receive free news updates.