Was Beloved Wash. Mom Killed for Talking with Police About Accused Rapist?

Ngaire Tusi was found dead in a Tacoma, Wash., park on Dec. 18, and a suspect who police allege is connected to her killing was just arrested

A mother of seven was found slain in a Tacoma, Wash., park in December, and now police are investigating if she was killed in retaliation for allegedly giving police information about an accused rapist.

Ngaire Tusi was killed on Dec. 18, and police allege Muhammad Takseem Salanoa killed her after she gave police information about his nephew, 22-year-old James Salanoa Jr., KOMO News, The Spokesman-Review and KING 5 report, citing court documents.

James was accused of kidnapping and raping a woman at gunpoint on Nov. 18, according to Crime Stoppers. He was killed in a police pursuit 10 days later on Nov. 28, KING 5 reported.

Police allege that James' uncle Muhammad was angry that people were cooperating with police in connection with his nephew's crimes, KOMO reports, citing court documents. Tusi was accused of being someone who spoke to law enforcement, according to the documents.

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Surveillance footage allegedly showed Muhammad's vehicle at Madrona Park — where Tusi's body was found — around 2:30 a.m., on Dec. 18, The Spokesman-Review reports. A second vehicle then arrived, and a gunshot was heard around 2:44 a.m., the outlet reports, citing prosecutors.

Muhammad is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, according to online jail records reviewed by PEOPLE. He has pleaded not guilty.

According to a GoFundMe page set up after her death, Tusi had seven children. "She was such a blessing to everyone who knew her," the fundraiser's description reads. "She is an amazing mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, in-law and most of all FRIEND."

She had four daughters and three sons. "Our hearts are shattered and will never be mended the same," the description reads. "We are having difficulty accepting the truth and the fact that we will never see her precious face again."

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