by Palmyra, PA — A 57-year-old Pennsylvania man, Kabary Salem, will spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder for the shocking and brutal killing of his daughter, 25-year-old Ola Salem. The crime, which took place in October 2019, ended in the young woman’s body being dumped in a Staten Island park — a discovery that horrified both communities and investigators.
On Wednesday, Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas Judge Bradford Charles sentenced Salem to life in prison without the possibility of parole, bringing a final legal chapter to a years-long investigation that spanned multiple states and even international borders.
A Crime That Violated “Sacred Trust” of Parenthood
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday condemned Salem’s actions in a powerful statement following the sentencing.
“A father is supposed to love and protect his child, but this defendant committed one of the cruelest acts imaginable — he murdered his daughter in cold blood,” Sunday said. “This life sentence will not bring Ola back, but it offers a measure of justice and accountability.”
Prosecutors told the court that the killing was not only violent but deeply personal. Ola Salem, known for her advocacy for domestic violence victims, suffered asphyxiation and blunt-force trauma, with bruises found on her face, neck, and legs.
Her body was discovered on October 24, 2019, partially hidden beneath branches and leaves at Bloomingdale Park on Staten Island.
A Former Olympic Boxer Turned Killer
Before turning to crime, Kabary Salem once enjoyed fame as an Olympic boxer, representing Egypt in international competitions. His daughter also considered boxing before shifting her passion to advocacy work.
Friends remembered Ola as strong, confident, and resilient.
“She was very, very strong,” a friend told The New York Times. “It beats me how — if this was a murder — anyone could have killed her, because she was stronger than some men.”
Key Evidence: Surveillance, GPS Data, and DNA
Salem’s downfall came through a combination of digital evidence, surveillance footage, and forensic DNA.
According to trial testimony:
- Salem rented a car the night of the murder.
- He first drove to his restaurant, then to a hotel, where surveillance cameras showed two people inside the car.
- He then traveled to a Lowe’s to purchase a blue Kobalt shovel — later found near Ola’s body.
- By 4:40 a.m., GPS data placed Salem at Bloomingdale Park.
- By 4:59 a.m., he was already driving back toward Palmyra, with footage capturing him stopping at a Wawa convenience store.
- He returned the rental vehicle later that day at an Avis location in New Jersey.
The most damning evidence came from Ola herself: investigators found Kabary Salem’s DNA under his daughter’s fingernails, proof that she fought desperately in her final moments.
Flight From Justice and International Extradition
Hours after being interviewed by the NYPD, Salem abruptly left the United States. For nearly a year, he stayed abroad until authorities located him in Kuwait, where he was arrested and extradited back to the U.S. to face charges.
He was formally indicted in December 2020.
Judge Rejects Salem’s Claims of Innocence
During sentencing, Salem tearfully insisted he was innocent, claiming police “lied” about his involvement.
Judge Charles, however, dismissed the statement.
“The circumstantial evidence in this case was overwhelming,” the judge said. “The truth you now have to confront is that a jury found that you committed first-degree murder — and there was more than enough evidence to support that finding.”
With no possibility of parole, Salem will remain in prison for the rest of his life.
Does this sentence deliver justice for Ola Salem? Share your thoughts in the comments.
