Man charged with kidnapping, sexual assault and torture of teen last year found dead in jail cell

Ferndale, Michigan: A man charged with the kidnapping, sexual assault and torture of a teenager on November 17, 2021 has been found dead in his jail cell on Wednesday, May 4, reportedly of suicide.

44-year-old Khalil Floyd was facing four counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of armed robbery, torture, and unlawful imprisonment related to the kidnapping of a 16-year-old Ferndale High School student from a gas station while she was fueling her vehicle.

Friends at the school promptly reported her missing when she did not return which law enforcement credit with assisting police to recover the girl within approximately five hours.

"This could have fended much differently but for the instincts and quick actions of her friends," he said.

At the time of his arrest, Floyd was on bond out of Wayne County on a charge of breaking and entering and had been previously convicted for sexually assaulting a minor.

Additionally charged in the case is Floyd's girlfriend, 44-year-old Jessica Quick who has been charged with aiding in a kidnapping, aiding in a robbery and unlawful imprisonment. According to Detroit News, she had no criminal history and had been employed as a therapist for mentally ill children.

At the time, Ferndale Police Chief Dennis Emmi described the case as "random, extremely rare and scary" saying that the victim did not know either Floyd or Quick and was not targeted.

In January, Floyd was found competent to stand trial after his defense attorney, Marsha Kosmatka had ordered a psychiatric examination shortly after he was charged. Despite the findings, Kosmatka said she did not agree with the findings that her client was competent for criminal responsibility.

His preliminary hearing had been scheduled for May 14 at 1:00 pm.

Floyd's death opens the door for Quick's defense attorneys to further pursue their allegation that Quick was herself, afraid of Floyd and acted out of that fear. Quick and Floyd and been living together since August.

"She (quick) was in an abusive relationship and didn't feel she had any control," her defense attorney Bradley J. Friedman said. "She felt scared for her life. She had no knowledge of what was happening."

"I believe she will be vindicated," Friedman added.

Quick appears to have a court date scheduled for May 10 at 12:00 pm according to a court record search.