CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Sandra Sistrunk, 55, for the murder of 58-year-old Charlie Willis Jr., in his Cleveland apartment.

“I want to thank the Cleveland Division of Police for their quick work in identifying and arresting Sandra Sistrunk. My thoughts and prayers remain with Charlie Willis Jr.’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On January 7, 2025, around 10:30 a.m. Sandra Sistrunk went to her boyfriend, Charlie Willis Jr.’s, apartment near East 81st Street and Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. She began to pound on the door and screamed to be let in. A verbal altercation ensued, and she stabbed Charlie Willis Jr., multiple times with a filet knife. Immediately after, she fled the scene. A few good Samaritans found Charlie Willis Jr. unresponsive in the stairwell and called the police. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) and EMS responded to the scene. Willis Jr. was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

The investigation was conducted by CDP. Sandra Sistrunk was arrested by CDP on January 7, 2025.

On January 16, 2025, Sandra Sistrunk was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Murder
  • Two counts of Felonious Assault
  • One count of Tampering With Evidence

She will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.