The daughter and husband of a 44-year-old woman found slain near her home in Lawrenceville earlier this month will hold separate memorial ceremonies for her as part of an unusual agreement reached Monday.
Matthew Leili, who ordinarily would be responsible for handling his wife's funeral arrangements, signed over that responsibility to his stepdaughter, 19-year-old Alexandra Page. Page will handle the disposition and expenses related to the burial or cremation of Dominique "Nique" Leili, according to the consent order filed Monday in Gwinnett County Probate Court.
As a condition of the agreement, Leili can plan and pay for a separate memorial ceremony at the funeral home Page chooses. It cannot overlap or interfere with the ceremony to be planned by Page.
Matthew Leili and Page, the victim's daughter from a previous marriage, agreed they would not reveal the date and time to the media "to insure dignity in the ceremony."
The settlement averted a showdown between the two in probate court that had been scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Matthew Leili is the only suspect police have named so far in the case. He filed for divorce two days after reporting his wife missing.
Matthew Leili told police his wife left two days before after an argument, and that he had not seen her since July 9. Page organized the search leading to the discovery of Leili's body on July 16.
Matthew Leili's attorney, Lyle Porter, has said his client has done nothing wrong and he is refusing to respond to allegations reported in the media.
Nique and Matthew Leili have two other daughters, 9 and 12, who are in their father's care. But in a separate court filing, Nique Leili's father has asked for custody, or at least visitation.
A hearing is set for Aug. 15 in front of Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Warren Davis.
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