PHILADELPHIA, PA – A Philadelphia man has been convicted of first-degree murder for the 2021 stabbing death of a 25-year-old woman in North Philadelphia after investigators discovered he used her phone to promote his rap persona in the days following her killing.
Quader Moore, 22, was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder and possession of an instrument of crime in the death of Tianna Wells, who was found fatally stabbed in her rooming house apartment on the 2600 block of North 17th Street.
Authorities said Wells’ cousins discovered her body on June 16, 2021, after growing concerned that she had not answered calls or messages for several days.
Key Points
- Defendant convicted of first-degree murder in 2021 domestic stabbing case.
- Victim’s phone was used after her death to promote defendant’s rap alias “yngp qua.”
- Judge Diana Anhalt will sentence the defendant on December 22.
Investigation traced digital trail from victim’s phone
Police said the cousins initially called officers to file a missing person report, but returned moments later after forcing open Wells’ locked door and finding her body near the bed with a fatal knife wound to her neck. Detectives later determined that her cell phone had been taken.
Homicide investigators obtained surveillance footage showing Wells returning home on the night of June 13, 2021, with Moore. That was the last time she was seen alive.
Detectives tracked the victim’s phone and found that it had been used days later to modify her Instagram account, converting it into a promotional page for Moore’s rap alter ego “yngp qua.”
IP evidence tied suspect to victim’s device
According to trial testimony, both Moore’s personal Instagram account and the modified account used the same IP address in August 2021, indicating both were accessed from Wells’ missing phone. This digital link helped prosecutors secure Moore’s conviction.
Assistant District Attorney Josh Myers of the DAO’s Homicide & Non-Fatal Shootings Unit led the prosecution. District Attorney Larry Krasner credited Myers’ use of digital forensics and call detail record analysis for connecting Moore to the crime.
Family and prosecutors speak after verdict
“It is through the exceptional prosecution of ADA Josh Myers that this defendant will be held accountable for his heinous actions,” Krasner said following the verdict.
Myers added, “It meant a lot to help secure some justice for Tianna Wells, her family, and the city of Philadelphia. The thorough work and partnership with Philadelphia Police and their Homicide Unit ensured a successful trial.”
Wells’ mother shared a statement thanking prosecutors and police for their dedication: “This letter is a gesture of my appreciation and my family’s gratitude for the exemplary manner in which they investigated, captured, and ultimately helped my family obtain justice for the grievous murder of my daughter.”
Judge Diana Anhalt is scheduled to sentence Moore on December 22 in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
