Ohio man sentenced for fatally strangling wife with USB cord and setting her body on fire

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio (TCD) -- A 43-year-old man will spend up to the rest of his life behind bars for fatally strangling his wife in 2021 and setting her body ablaze while two young children were nearby.

The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office announced that a judge sentenced Mamadou Diallo on Wednesday, July 26, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 27 years in connection with the 2021 death of his wife, Fatoumata Diallo. He'll also have to register as a violent and arson offender after his release.

A Franklin County jury previously convicted Mamadou Diallo of two counts of murder, aggravated arson, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse on July 19.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, on Sept. 30, 2021, shortly after 1:20 p.m., the Madison Township Fire and Police departments responded to a house fire on Noe Bixby Road and found 32-year-old Fatoumata Diallo deceased in the basement. She reportedly had a USB-type charging cord tied around her neck, as well as a bottle of lighter fluid underneath her body.

The Sheriff's Office said officials also found two young children who were home during the fire, but they made it out unharmed.

Investigators identified Mamadou Diallo as the primary suspect, but he denied the claims.

According to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, officials found Diallo's wife's blood on one of his shirts and discovered he was home before the fire began.

Investigators concluded Diallo strangled his wife with the USB cord and then set her body ablaze.

MORE:

• Mamadou Diallo sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for murdering his wife in 2021 - Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• Prosecuting Attorney’s Office secures guilty verdict for 2021 murder of Fatoumata Diallo, 7/20/2023 - Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
• Murder Suspect, 10/1/2021 - Franklin County Sheriff's Office