A man was killed during an argument over a parking spot in a residential neighborhood in New York City. 

Christopher Hightower, 58, a Jamaica, Queens resident, was killed last year due to a parking dispute with his neighbor, according to the New York Police Department. 

Despite facing many difficulties in life, Hightower had always managed to overcome them, except for this one. The police said that he was beaten by his neighbor on May 22 last year, leaving him with severe injuries that caused his death the following day. 

The medical examiner ruled Hightower’s death a homicide as he had suffered blunt force trauma to his head and body. Hightower was highly intoxicated during the incident and suffered a head injury and a lacerated spleen. According to the police, his neighbor, who had a violent streak, beat him mercilessly over a parking space.

Hightower’s ex-wife, Monique Hightower, expressed disbelief that a street fight took him out, saying that God had always helped him land on his feet. She remembered him as a man who made sure that the bills were paid and his children were taken care of. Monique said that Hightower had become a man of God, and that’s how she knew he had grown. Even though they had broken up, Monique said she had never stopped loving him.

Although police have identified a suspect, they have not made any arrests. The neighbor who beat up Hightower said that he was trying to protect his family, claiming that Hightower showed up on his property drunk and that he felt threatened when he was confronted. Hightower’s aunt, who witnessed the end of the fight, disputed the neighbor’s account, saying he was lying.

Hightower was a father of six and worked for Amazon and UPS before his death. Monique said that they had been married twice but divorced again due to his drug and alcohol issues. She believed their love was destiny despite their separation, but his addictions got in the way. At the end of his life, she knew that he loved her, and his life history had led him to become a man of God.