Prosecuting Attorney’s Office secures guilty verdict for 2021 murder of Fatoumata Diallo

Posted on 7/20/2023

Defendant: Mamadou Diallo

A Franklin County jury found Mamadou Diallo, 43, of Columbus, guilty Wednesday of several charges, including the 2021 murder of his wife Fatoumata Diallo. Cory Helffrich and Beau Wenger, both assistant prosecuting attorneys with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, prosecuted the case.

Firefighters responding to a call on Sept. 30, 2021, found Mrs. Diallo dead inside a home on Columbus’ far east side. Mr. Diallo and their two young children were found safely outside. A criminal investigation began when firefighters discovered Mrs. Diallo’s body with a USB-type charging cord around her neck and a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid beneath her body.

Investigators determined Mrs. Diallo was killed by a combination of strangulation and thermal burns. Detectives discovered that, despite his claims, Mr. Diallo had been in the home before the fire began. They also discovered one of Mr. Diallo’s shirts stained with his wife's blood.

After a six-day trial, a Franklin County jury agreed with Helffrich and Wenger that Mr. Diallo strangled his wife in their home before setting her body on fire. The jury convicted Mr. Diallo of two counts of murder, aggravated arson, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.

Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Stephen McIntosh will sentence Mr. Diallo on Wednesday, July 26. He faces a maximum of 27 years to life. The Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office intends to seek the maximum sentence.