Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Texas woman, 26-year-old Courtney Taylor Clenney, will face extradition proceedings for Florida murder charges. Clenney was wanted on an outstanding warrant for Murder in the Second Degree charges in relation to an April 3, 2022, Miami incident. On Wednesday morning, Clenney was arrested at a Hakalau residence through a collaborative effort between the U.S. Marshalls and members of the Hawai‘i Police Department’s Hilo Community Policing Section and Area I Criminal Investigation Section.
Clenney, who goes by the name Courtney Tailor on platforms like Instagram and OnlyFans, remains in custody while authorities work to have her extradited to Florida.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle characterized Christian Obumseli’s April 3 death at the couple’s Miami apartment as the culmination of a “tempestuous and combative relationship” that began in November 2020. The county medical examiner said in an autopsy report that Obumseli, who worked in cryptocurrency, died from a forceful downward thrust from a blade that went 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) into his chest, piercing a major artery.
According to an arrest report, Clenney acknowledged killing Obumseli but said she was acting in self defense. She said Obumseli had pushed her and thrown her to the floor, which prompted her to grab the knife and throw it at Obumseli from about 10 feet (3 meters) away. The medical examiner said Obumseli’s wound could not have been caused by a knife thrown from that distance.
Clenney’s Miami defense lawyer, Frank Prieto, stated that Clenney was in Hawaii while in rehabilitation for substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. He said they look forward to clearing her name in court.
Clenney, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to appear in Hilo Circuit Court on Thursday afternoon. The extradition proceedings will be handled by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeff Malate. The extradition investigation was handled by the Hilo Community Policing Section.
“Our Office has been in contact with the City of Miami Police Department and the Miami-Dade Office of the State Attorney to coordinate Clenney’s extradition,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
