CrimeApr 07, 2025
Third Man Involved in $2.7M Smash-and-Grab Is SentencedCrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss
Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Former jewelry store employee Michel Patrick Desalles is accused of murdering his boss, Omid Gholian, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
New York—A former jewelry store employee who has been on the run for eight years after allegedly choking his boss to death with zip ties has been returned to the United States, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced this week.
Michel Patrick Desalles faces one count of second-degree murder, a class A-1 felony, in the 2017 death of his boss, 51-year-old Omid Gholian.
According to the DA’s office, Desalles worked at a jewelry store in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood, identified in multiple media reports as World of Gold N Diamond on the corner of Church and Duane streets.
On the morning of Feb. 14, 2017—Valentine’s Day—Desalles allegedly attacked Gholian, tying two zip ties around his neck.
The DA’s office said later that same day, Desalles bought a ticket to his native Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Madagascar.
He flew out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport that evening.
According to the DA’s office, the day following the murder, police and members of Gholian’s family went to the jewelry store and found him dead in the back with zip ties around his neck, bruising to one of his eyes, and a gash on his head.
Related stories will be right here …
Michel Patrick Desalles faces one count of second-degree murder, a class A-1 felony, in the 2017 death of his boss, 51-year-old Omid Gholian.
According to the DA’s office, Desalles worked at a jewelry store in New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood, identified in multiple media reports as World of Gold N Diamond on the corner of Church and Duane streets.
On the morning of Feb. 14, 2017—Valentine’s Day—Desalles allegedly attacked Gholian, tying two zip ties around his neck.
The DA’s office said later that same day, Desalles bought a ticket to his native Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Madagascar.
He flew out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport that evening.
According to the DA’s office, the day following the murder, police and members of Gholian’s family went to the jewelry store and found him dead in the back with zip ties around his neck, bruising to one of his eyes, and a gash on his head.
The statement from the DA’s office did not give any insight into a potential motive in the case.
According to New York Supreme Criminal Court records, a grand jury indicted Desalles for Gholian’s murder in March 2019.
An arrest warrant was issued at that time and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said prosecutors have been “doggedly” seeking Desalles’ return for years.
On Friday, he was extradited to the U.S. from Mauritius and arraigned.
Court records show he has pleaded not guilty in the case and is being held without bail.
No attorney was listed for Desalles as of press time. The next hearing the case is set for Aug. 11.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the DA’s office worked with the Mauritius attorney general and the country’s police force to secure the arrest and extradition of Desalles.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
IndependentsJul 15, 2026
New Jersey Jeweler Barry Berman Dies at 81The founder of Fords Jewelers, Berman is remembered for his love of connecting with his community.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
