A 26-year-old man has pleaded guilty in the killing of a former romantic partner, bringing a measure of legal closure to a case that drew national attention after the victim was found dead inside his Uptown Charlotte condominium.
Ayyad Sukkar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Corey Robinson, 36, according to court records. The plea eliminates the need for a trial and acknowledges Sukkar’s responsibility for Robinson’s death.
Robinson was found dead on June 14, 2024, after family members requested a welfare check when he failed to report to work. Police discovered his body inside his residence in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood. Investigators later determined he had been killed.
Authorities have confirmed that Sukkar and Robinson had a previous romantic relationship, a detail that has been repeatedly cited by family members and prosecutors. While the relationship has been acknowledged as part of the case background, law enforcement has not publicly identified a specific motive for the killing, such as a dispute, jealousy, or financial conflict.
Prosecutors have stated that Robinson was killed by someone he trusted. Family members have described the relationship as one in which Robinson believed Sukkar was a friend, underscoring the sense of betrayal surrounding the case.
Sukkar was arrested weeks after Robinson’s death following a multi-state investigation that led authorities to Tennessee. Two additional individuals were also charged in connection with the case for allegedly using Robinson’s financial accounts after his death. Their cases remain pending.
Robinson, a Wells Fargo manager, was remembered by loved ones as generous, driven, and deeply committed to those around him. In statements following the guilty plea, family members said the outcome brought a degree of closure, though they emphasized that no sentence could fully account for the loss of his life.
Sukkar now awaits sentencing, which is expected to result in decades of prison time under the plea agreement. A sentencing date has not yet been announced.
