FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2025
Mother of Slain Rapper ‘Baby Cino’ Sues City of Hialeah Over Leaked Corpse Photos: Lawsuit Draws Parallels to Kobe Bryant Case
Miami, FL – Angelica Blount-Yeye, the mother of murdered Miami rapper Timothy Starks, professionally known as Baby Cino has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Hialeah and three emergency medical technicians, alleging egregious violations of privacy, emotional abuse, and constitutional rights, following her son’s death in March 2022.
According to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25cv22023), EMTs Orlando Amador, Alain Pineiro, and Juan Diaz responded to the fatal shooting of Mr. Starks and took unauthorized photographs of his corpse at the scene. These images were later leaked and shared publicly across platforms such as Clubhouse, Reddit, and SoundCloud where they were even used as artwork for a diss track mocking his death.
“This lawsuit is about dignity and decency,” said attorney Tobechuku Tony Nwahiri, who represents Ms. Blount-Yeye. “We believe these EMTs were not acting as public servants; but rather as paparazzi with badges, exploiting a mother’s unimaginable grief for internet shock value.”
The case has drawn comparisons to the widely publicized Los Angeles County lawsuit brought by Vanessa Bryant, widow of NBA star Kobe Bryant. In that case, LA County sheriff deputies and firefighters were found to have illegally photographed the helicopter crash scene, where Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and others perished. The photos were later shown off at social events and leaked, leading to a $28.85 million settlement for the Bryant family.
“The parallels are chilling,” Nwahiri continued. “Just like in the Bryant case, public servants misused their access to a tragic scene to indulge their own curiosity and malice. The only difference here is that instead of a private dinner party, these photos became digital ammunition for a diss track.”
The lawsuit includes eight counts against the City of Hialeah and the EMTs, including: Intentional and Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress; Tortious Interference with a Corpse; Violation of the Fourteenth Amendment; Municipal Liability for Failure to Train or Implement Policy; and Violation of 15 USCS §6851.
Timothy Starks, known locally for his hip-hop career under the name Baby Cino, was murdered in a targeted shooting on March 16, 2022. His mother discovered that his death scene images had been posted online and used as cover art for music that taunted his killing. “
It’s hard enough to bury your child,” said Plaintiff Angelica Blount-Yeye. “But to have strangers laughing at his death online, using pictures of his body as a joke….That breaks a part of you that never heals.”
The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief to stop the spread of the images and require policy reform by the City of Hialeah.
“This case is about more than just one mother and one tragedy,” said Nwahiri. “It’s about ensuring no other family, whether famous or not, has to relive their worst nightmare at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them.”
For Media Inquiries Contact:
Tobechuku Tony Nwahiri, Esq.
Nwahiri Law, PLLC
Tobe@NwahiriLaw.com
(305) 345-4117
