Nova Henry was a young woman who had a relationship with NBA star Eddy Curry and gave birth to two of his children. She was also a victim of a brutal murder that shocked the nation. How did Nova Henry die and who killed her and her infant daughter? This article will explore the tragic story of Nova Henry’s cause of death and the trial of her killer.
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Nova Henry and Eddy Curry: A Turbulent Relationship
Nova Henry met Eddy Curry when he was playing for the Chicago Bulls in 2001. They started a romantic relationship that lasted for several years, even though Curry was married to another woman, Patrice Curry. Nova Henry gave birth to Curry’s son, Noah, in 2006 and his daughter, Ava, in 2008. However, their relationship was not smooth, as Curry was often absent and unfaithful. Nova Henry also had to deal with Curry’s financial troubles, as he owed millions of dollars to various creditors and faced lawsuits and foreclosures.
Nova Henry decided to end her relationship with Curry and filed a paternity suit against him in 2008. She hired a lawyer, Fredrick Goings, to represent her in the legal battle. However, she did not know that Goings had a dark side and a violent temper.
Fredrick Goings: A Jealous and Obsessed Lawyer
Fredrick Goings was a Chicago attorney who specialized in family law and criminal defense. He had a history of domestic violence and was accused of beating and threatening his ex-girlfriends. He also had a gambling addiction and owed money to several casinos.
Goings became romantically involved with Nova Henry while representing her in the paternity case. He moved in with her and her children in her South Loop apartment. However, Nova Henry soon realized that Goings was controlling and abusive. She tried to break up with him and move out, but Goings refused to let her go. He became jealous and obsessed with her and threatened to kill her if she left him.
The Tragic Night of January 24, 2009
On January 24, 2009, Nova Henry and her 10-month-old daughter, Ava, were found shot to death in their apartment. Nova Henry was shot multiple times in the back, chest, and head, and Ava was shot in the head. Nova Henry’s 3-year-old son, Noah, was also in the apartment, but he was unharmed. He told the police that “Fredrick” did it.
The police identified Fredrick Goings as the prime suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest. They tracked him down at a hotel in Indiana, where he had checked in under a false name. He was arrested and extradited to Illinois, where he faced two charges of first-degree murder.
The Trial and Conviction of Fredrick Goings
Fredrick Goings pleaded not guilty and claimed that he was innocent. He denied having any involvement in the murders and suggested that someone else had killed Nova Henry and Ava. He also tried to discredit the testimony of Noah, who had identified him as the shooter.
However, the prosecution presented overwhelming evidence against Goings, including DNA, ballistics, cell phone records, and surveillance footage. They also showed that Goings had a motive to kill Nova Henry, as he was angry that she had fired him as her lawyer and owed him money. They argued that Goings had planned the murders and waited for Nova Henry to return home from a trip to New York. He then shot her and Ava in cold blood and fled the scene.
The jury deliberated for less than two hours and found Goings guilty on both counts of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He appealed his conviction, but it was upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019.
The Legacy of Nova Henry and Ava
Nova Henry and Ava were buried together in a cemetery in Chicago. Their family and friends mourned their loss and remembered them as loving and beautiful souls. Nova Henry’s mother, Yolan Henry, said that she forgave Goings for his crime, but she hoped that he would spend the rest of his life thinking about what he did.
Nova Henry’s son, Noah, was adopted by Eddy Curry and his wife, Patrice. He grew up with his four half-siblings and became a basketball player like his father. He said that he missed his mother and sister every day and that he wanted to honor their memory by living a good life.
Nova Henry’s cause of death was a tragic and senseless act of violence that took away two innocent lives. Her story is a reminder of the dangers of domestic abuse and the need for justice and healing.
