Police Confirm Body Found Saturday is That of Missing Lawrenceville Woman

Gwinnett County Police have confirmed the body found in a Lawrenceville subdivision earlier this week is that of a woman first reported missing on July 11.

According to police, Dominique (Nique) Leili, 44, went missing on July 9. Her husband Matthew notified authorities two days later.

A detective was assigned to the missing persons case on July 12. During the early investigation, no signs of foul play were discovered. Police now say the case is being treated as a homicide.

Police met with Matthew Leili at the couple’s home on July 15. Leili advised detectives that he had retained an attorney.  Detectives were subsequently unable to obtain statements from Leili, Leili’s father or the couple’s 9-year-old or 12-year-old daughters. Nique’s 19-year-old daughter from another marriage has been cooperating with investigators.

On Saturday, July 16, friends of Nique organized a search party in her neighborhood. A short time after beginning the search, a woman’s body was found in a wooded area near Nique’s home. Police were unable to make an immediate identification due to the condition of the body. Dental records were used to positively identify the body as that of Nique’s.

Police are not releasing the cause of death but are treating the case as a homicide.

“There was some confusion over whether or not Matthew Leili was considered a suspect, and we can conclusively say at this time that he is a suspect,” according to GCPD public information officer Cpl. Jake Smith.

No charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.