A man has been sentenced to decades in prison after pleading guilty in the 2024 killing of Corey Robinson, a Charlotte case that has left Robinson’s loved ones grieving the loss of a son, brother, and friend.
On Jan. 8, Ayyad Sukkar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Robinson’s death. A judge sentenced Sukkar to up to 24 years in prison, bringing a measure of legal closure nearly 19 months after Robinson was found dead inside his home.
The investigation began on June 14, 2024, when Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police conducted a welfare check at Robinson’s residence on North Graham Street. Family and colleagues had grown concerned after the 36-year-old failed to show up for work at Wells Fargo or respond to messages. Upon entering the home, which had been plundered, officers found Robinson deceased. Investigators later determined he had died from blunt force trauma several days prior to the discovery.
Prosecutors said Robinson’s home had been ransacked and that his credit cards and financial accounts were used after his death. Court testimony showed Robinson’s Cash App account was accessed, and investigators traced financial activity connected to the case in the days following the killing.
During sentencing, Robinson’s family filled the courtroom to share memories of a man they described as loving, ambitious, and deeply connected to the people around him. His mother, Carmen Fowler, spoke about the pain of losing her son to someone he knew.
“He was my first born, he was my baby,” Fowler said. “Everyone loved him. He was accepted by our family. He got killed by someone who couldn’t accept his own truth. I wish it was a stranger because what friend would do this?”
Testimony in the case established that Robinson and Sukkar had a prior romantic relationship. Sukkar’s mother told the court that her son assaulted Robinson after Robinson allegedly made a pass at him and acknowledged that the two had been involved previously. Robinson’s family said that detail made the loss even harder to bear.
Family members described Robinson as openly gay and said he encouraged people around him to be themselves. His sister, Skylar McClendon, has said Robinson never judged others and often urged those close to him to live honestly.
In addition to Sukkar’s conviction, two other people were charged in connection with the case. Tracey Sukkar and Lasha Big Eagle face charges related to obtaining property by false pretense and identity theft. Their cases remain pending.
Robinson’s family said he worked as a manager at Wells Fargo and had a strong support network there. Several of his former colleagues attended court proceedings to support his loved ones.
While the guilty plea brings the criminal case closer to its end, Robinson’s family has said no sentence can fully account for their loss. For them, the case reflects the devastating consequences of violence within trusted relationships and the lasting harm such acts leave behind.