PHILADELPHIA (December 15, 2025)— Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, DAO’s Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit announced charges on Monday against Coy Thomas, the defendant involved in the stabbing homicide of 93-year-old Lafayette Dailey, which occurred in December 2025 in the Logan section of the city.
Coy Thomas (DOB 8/21/1972) was charged for the following stabbing homicide:
- Murder
- Possession of an Instrument of Crime (PIC) (M1)
- Robbery (F1)
- Theft/Receipt of Stolen Property (F3)
- Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle (M2)
On Friday, December 5, 2025 at approximately 3 p.m., Philadelphia Police officers responded to the 4500 Block of North 16th Street, at the home of a victim later identified as Lafayette Dailey, a 93-year-old male who experienced trauma to the head and had been fatally stabbed multiple times in the chest.
Upon arrival, officers were informed that the victim’s white Chrysler 300 was not parked in front of the residence. The victim’s niece received a phone call from a neighbor on December 5, 2025, sharing that the victim had not been seen for about two days. In addition, the senior center the victim regularly attended had reported the victim had not been present.
Detectives located city surveillance footage at 16th Street and Wingohocking Street that captured a Black male, the defendant later identified as Coy Thomas, wearing a black jacket, white hoodie, red sweatpants, and white sneakers walking up the steps and onto the victim’s porch just before 11 a.m. on December 3, 2025. Approximately 10 minutes later, the defendant is seen entering the victim’s white Chrysler and driving northbound on 16th Street from Wingohocking Street. On December 8, 2025, detectives were informed of attempted unauthorized transactions made using the victim’s debit card. A day later, on December 9th, Philadelphia Police located the victim’s missing Chrysler at the 2500 Block of West Hagert Street. Later that day, Philadelphia police received a phone call from a man who said he purchased the car from the defendant for $900.
A preliminary hearing for Coy Thomas is scheduled for December 29th, 2025.
“Thank you to ADA Ashley Toczylowski and Philadelphia Police for their detailed and quick work in this case,” said Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. “The collaboration between the community, public servants, and law enforcement agents in our city is a testament to the historic decrease in homicides Philadelphia is experiencing today.”
“It is due to the exceptional work of Philadelphia Homicide Detectives and their use of video surveillance, license plate reader tracking, and other forensic evidence that Coy Thomas will be held accountable for this terrible crime,” said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski, DAO Homicide and Non-Fatal Shootings Unit.
“It shouldn’t be the case that Mr. Dailey, a 93-year old who is a staple to his family, friends, and community, is murdered so callously and senselessly right in his own home,” said Senator Sharif Street of District 3. “I urge the residents of Philadelphia to reach out to public safety resources, including the DA’s office and Philadelphia Police Department, to bring criminals like Coy Thomas to justice.”
