Husband of former Miss Dominica charged with murder in US

Ghonim is the husband of Miss Dominica 2012
Ghonim is the husband of Miss Dominica 2012

The husband of Miss Dominica 2012 Nadira Lando, Morrad Ghonim, has been formally charged with murder in the US.

The charge stems from the killing of his first wife over 20 years ago.

The Whittier Daily News in the US quoted Richardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, as saying, “Prosecutors on April 17 charged Ghonim with the July 23, 1992 murder of Victoria Ghonim.”

The prosecution is alleging that Ghonim solicited the murder of wife, then 17 years old. It is further alleged that a handgun was used to commit the crime.

No arraignments on the matter has been set, according to the Whittier Daily News.

Ghonim was deported from Antigua, where he operated a beauty store, last weekend two months after a jury convicted 42-year-old Leon Martinez of Yucaipa as being the hit man in the murder.

He was reportedly paid $500 to commit the crime.

It is alleged that Ghonim was the one who hatched the plan to kill his wife.

Ghonim, born in Jordan, tied the knot with Lando in 2014.

Meanwhile the Antigua Observer has quoted Lando as saying that Ayoushe Beauty Supply and Beyond, owned by the businessman is operational.

“Ayoushe Beauty Supplies will remain open for business. Our employees have no reason to worry about their jobs and our customers can look forward to our continued services,” she said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

45 Comments

  1. glenda
    May 30, 2015

    Every one look for their well being, but no one give up their life for wealth. This murderer must have spoken the right words to have this beauty in his arms. She did nothing wrong,right now all she has to do is wait for the sentencing and sell the property. These men prey after women for life. No body is going to say I have murdered my ex, cause the next thought will be “I am next”.

  2. May 29, 2015

    We do not need the picture of this murderer in our face, we need to see the pics of those molesters on island. Thank you

  3. Lang Mama
    May 29, 2015

    Way to go Nadira. I don’t know you but I like your confidence. Way to go girl. The mind is a powerful tool when used right.

  4. The Facts
    May 29, 2015

    This is an interesting topic. Life’s stories are always interesting to know and read even though they may not be happy and pleasant ones..
    It is obvious that his store and/or assets are not yet seized in Antigua. To be fair, Nadira is his wife and cannot be left with nothing. How long the store will be operational is another matter.
    If he does not have a rich family, how much money he has elsewhere which could cover the expensive court costs?
    Granted, for one who found himself in that situation, he will receive the support of his family and Nadira. However, hope they do not excuse him and try to exonerate him from the murder he is accused of. The facts are exposed until they are proven by the Court.
    It appears he is really responsible for the murder of his first wife.
    He is approximately 30 years older than Nadira. During his previous years, prior to marrying Nadira, I wonder if he re-married. Would love to read about his entire life story. Curious, that is.

  5. pau
    May 29, 2015

    Any realises tjat she never once said anything about her husband ,like she is behind him , hmmmmmmm strange

  6. karem
    May 28, 2015

    Why am i no t surprised ??

  7. Dominican woman
    May 28, 2015

    If Nadira is smart she would divorce the man. Who is to say he can’t do it all over again.

    • Daisy
      May 28, 2015

      You are right. I think in two years she might have been dead. They have been married 1 year and you need about 3 years to claim on life insurance so she had a lucky escape.

  8. Dominican
    May 28, 2015

    Sounds like a lifetime movie to me.

    • The Facts
      May 29, 2015

      It would make an interesting movie or two. One, his marriage to the 17-year old and hiring a man to kill her. Two, his relationship and marriage to Nadira. These are two movies I would view. I assume most people would be interested.
      Depend on Hollywood to be interested in him and his general lifestyle. Then the movies, be they culminated into one.
      Who knows? Hollywood or another group may be considering it. I hope this will come to fruition. It would put Antigua and Dominica on the worldwide map.
      Dominica could get some exposure and about their beautiful women. :lol:
      Nadira could qualify for a cut and royalty in the movie about her. Money flows! :lol:
      Know too, the Kalinago people would also receive some exposure and status.
      If this would occur, watch out for a certain amount of influx of visitors and suitors to Dominica. :lol:
      Wow! My mind really worked overtime on this one which was unplanned as thoughts flowed through my mind. :lol: .

  9. kisses
    May 28, 2015

    There is also an article on the antigua observer quoting nadira as saying that she was aware of the murder of his 1st wife etc… sooooo i have no reason to feel sorry for she!!!

    • Duncekyat
      May 28, 2015

      @kisses

      The first wife was murdered. That is public information. While Nadira may have known that the wife was murdered, that does not necessarily mean she knew who the murderer and the accomplices were.

    • a team effort
      May 29, 2015

      she never said that and if she did they would have to hold her in contempt for holding information. read carefully next time

    • The Facts
      May 29, 2015

      I wonder about that or she is covering up for him, too ashamed and embarrassed to admit the truth.
      Would he really tell her that he hired a man to kill his wife? He may have told her his first wife died and that someone murdered her but not that he paid someone to do it. This should shock any woman who would fear for her life.
      If Nadira knew the truth, she should have been concerned for her life. A woman who knows that should be wary of such a man, to be able to as much as sleep or allow him to make a cup of coffee or tea for her lest he put something in it for her demise.
      If the US authorities know that he confided in her about the murder of his first wife, she could be summoned to Court to testify. She may very well be questioned. This is why I am doubtful that he would have told her the real truth of his first wife’s murder.
      I wonder how many women he married. I am speculating that man could be a bigamist and had a shady past. He is not one to be trusted.

  10. hurricane
    May 28, 2015

    http://arrestfiles.org/publicinfo/morrad-modle-ghonim

    That spokesperson for Nadira, boasting about ‘wealth’ there. It can be all gone in a flash of lightening… SICK and TWISTED. Seems those Ghonims are well matched…gain the world and lose your soul.

    • The Facts
      May 29, 2015

      This is an interesting case. Money is used and finished in a wink of an eye.

      Malcolm S. Forbes said: “Anybody who thinks money is everything has never been sick or is.” How true.

  11. Duncekyat
    May 28, 2015

    If the allegations are proven true, then he should pay the maximum penalty. My heart goes out to Ms. Lando for having to endure through these stressful times for something she had nothing to do with. Hang in there Ma’am. Believe, and brighter days will be ahead.

  12. May 28, 2015

    This maybe new to us , but is not unusual to the world at large . With all these criminals hiding in our islands , we expect at one point the CIA/FBI will discover . Look at the ‘ unsolved mystery ‘, they say many of these criminals are out there hiding , some change their last names , do face surgeries and have various passports given different identities . It’s not a matter of jealousy , it’s a matter of justice for the blood of the innocent . Wander what else this criminal could have been involved , maybe even laundering . Why hide in the Caribbean if you didn’t commit a crime ? SMH … all I feel for is the young lady she’s one of us , the dude I careless , let him face his lifetime in jail .

  13. princess
    May 28, 2015

    it is a difficultly situation, If i was in it i am not sure what i would have done but all is not lost Nadira just pray and let the lord guide u

  14. Hmmm
    May 28, 2015

    Wow… Well this ‘fairytale’ was short lived. Moral… Get to know someone before diving in. All that glitters is not gold.

  15. May 28, 2015

    I said it before, Nadira is still wealthy and still in business. This unfortunate derailment may well be a temporary one as there is still a chance that the matter against Mr. Ghonim will be dismissed or that he will be acquitted by a Jury. Mrs. Ghonim’s (Lando) continued support of her dear husband is a testimony to the love and the bond that the two shared. So…to those who chose to vilify Mrs. Ghonim while commenting on the previous articles about this matter, please understand that she could care less about your senseless opinions. She did nothing wrong and, in fact, did everything right. Her wealth and success speaks for itself. If any of you ever get a chance to visit Antigua in the near future, go take a look at the store, the home and the cars of this power couple and get a massive coronary attack from the jealousy that will instantly cripple your bodily functions. Nadira is living large as any right-thinking Labourite should and that’s all that matters.

    • shaddy
      May 28, 2015

      Morrad made a very bad decision in 1992, he will have to face a jury of his peers. It will be up to these 12 people to decide his fate.

    • May 28, 2015

      Wealth is not all. I only hope that the business wasn’t started with the insurance money that her husband collected from the death of his first wife. I agree with you that Nadira did nothing wrong and certainly did not deserve that. I wish her all the best. Be strong my sister.

      • Kalinago
        May 28, 2015

        Where did it state that he collected insurance money from the death of his first wife?

      • ATKINSON
        May 28, 2015

        We all know she did not do the crime, but now if she nadira is stating she knew about her husband pass. AND did benefit from his money. Hey thats when then come get someone for violating the racketeering, RICO laws, just saying

    • bwavo coco
      May 28, 2015

      what you juss said speaks volumes….you have juss ckarifiwd ppl’s so called wring perceptions..aint nobody jealous of mrs. whats her name. you have now portrayed this young lady as someone looking for wealth…smh….cars n stores n watever…you all are a joke…and if ms .lando was this intelligent and statue as allu want ppl believe..she wouldve ran away from the murderer ….nobody cares about car and home and store…it will juss be a matter of time before she loses all…to the feds…pffff

    • chrissy88
      May 28, 2015

      The truth is Morrad was tried for the murder in 2010 but was let off due to “lack of evidence.” After this happened he sold all his businesses and fled the country to Antigua.

    • Dominican
      May 28, 2015

      Labourof love thou protest too loudly

    • It is what it is
      May 28, 2015

      Labour of Love, it would be in your best interest to just stay away from the media right now.

    • Bella
      May 28, 2015

      Know who wrote this, words sound farmiliar. Exponding or glouting on Wealth is not all my dear. Once our conscious is clear God moves mountains. Prayers my dear Queen

    • omg
      May 28, 2015

      What wealth??? Assets frozen…. he will not be getting off that is not dominican justice… also, I worked hard for my degrees and luxury vehicles and houses so no not jealous at all. You need to understand not everyone is struggling. Oh yes, and happily married with my children. So, don’t be quick to assume people are jealous of this money hungry little girl.

    • JusticeJ
      May 28, 2015

      Living Large for how long?

    • Always
      May 28, 2015

      You can run but you can’t escape the wrath of God. All his riches ain’t gonna reverse whatever he did. God sees and hears all. It could a million years but God’s hand always prevails; it’s always in HIS timing.

    • genie
      May 28, 2015

      you’re an idiot

    • Ella Bankhead
      May 28, 2015

      Some people can be so materialistic and shallow.. The woman is facing maybe the hardest time in her life and this is what you choose to gloat about ? ” her wealth” stupes. What wealth? Stupes give me a break! And what store are you speaking off? Can’t be the store they were selling out today hmm. No secret goes unhidden.. No lie lives forever. And all that glitters is certainly not gold. Work hard . And earn a descent living and stop trying to get rich quick , because sometimes the wealth people pretend to have was gained by illegal means . Case in point.

    • The Facts
      May 29, 2015

      There are important and serious questions to ask.
      Why did he choose Antigua to live?
      How many years he resided in Antigua?
      How did he obtain the money to open the store?
      How was he able to obtain a license to operate the store when he did not possess a landed status since his permit expired?
      Did he apply for an extended permit and was refused?
      Why was he still in business in Antigua?
      Did he pay taxes and submitted an income tax return?
      Without a legal permit in Antigua how was he able to travel to D/ca and to obtain a marriage license to marry Nadira?
      What document he used to satisfy Dominica’s immigration and then to return to Antigua uninhibited?
      The Dominica government/immigration should be able to answer relevant questions.
      I am informing you, both governments are lax. There should be an international investigation into this.
      The UN and all those who put their mouths into the business of other nations should conduct a general investigation about this.

  16. Tou twelle
    May 28, 2015

    Brave Queen!!!!

  17. marcus brown
    May 28, 2015

    Very interesting news

  18. Cyrique
    May 28, 2015

    I hope Former Miss Dominica is still alive! This reminds me of the TV programme ‘Who The Hell Did I Marry?’

    • Dominican abroad2
      May 28, 2015

      So true my dear, it’s not in their pocket or bank account,’ it’s all about who you think they are. The love to commit their criminal acts then run doun to the Caribbean, they are never what they seem. :twisted:
      But despite how good they think life is they still looking over their shoulder and wondering how long before the skeleton in their cupboard will fall out.

  19. Fondcole
    May 28, 2015

    I don’t see why this is even making news headlines. :?:

    • me
      May 28, 2015

      DO I SMELL JEALOUSY?

    • The Truth!
      May 28, 2015

      Why this is making the News Headlines! So the world can know the truth. Murderers shouldn’t be allowed to walk free after committing senseless and despicable crimes..

    • JusticeJ
      May 28, 2015

      If it was me it would a make headline!

    • The Facts
      May 29, 2015

      What do you mean? Do you not appreciate such news? What type of mentality do you have? Oh! I forgot. These days any and everyone could purchase and own a computer. Another reason why we note the one-liners; not much to state educationally. This is self-explanatory.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available