Nearly two years after the shocking disappearance of Wey Um, a well-known bartender in Northeast Philadelphia, federal prosecutors have announced a major breakthrough.
Authorities have arrested and charged 34-year-old Tyheem Tyler in connection with the abduction and death of Um, a case that had long baffled investigators and devastated the local community.
Um, 48, was a bartender at the Oxford Tavern at Oxford and Summerdale avenues. According to law enforcement, he was initially robbed outside the bar on March 6, 2023. Weeks later, on March 31, he was abducted near his home on Godfrey Avenue while returning from work.
Witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored SUV pull up before Um was forcibly taken and driven away. Prosecutors believe he was transported to a location near the Delaware River, where he was held for ransom before meeting a tragic fate.
Despite extensive searches, authorities have never publicly confirmed whether Um’s body was recovered. However, forensic teams did find clothing fragments in the river, which were tested for a possible connection to the case. The results of those tests have not been disclosed.
Tyler, a Philadelphia resident, has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including conspiracy and aiding and abetting in Um’s kidnapping. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet identified Tyler’s alleged co-conspirators, leaving open questions about the full extent of the criminal operation.
The arrest has brought a mixture of relief and sorrow to those who knew Um. Friends and colleagues described him as a kind-hearted man, deeply valued by his community. “He is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my entire life,” said Harold Smith, a customer at the Oxford Tavern. “Wey cares. That’s why it hurts us.”
Sasha Negron, a fellow bartender who worked with Um, echoed similar sentiments. “Definitely a lot of emotions. Just don’t expect it, not from him. He was such a good person,” she said.
Tyler has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody, awaiting further court proceedings. A public defender is representing him. Meanwhile, investigators continue working to uncover additional details surrounding the case, including the identities of any other individuals involved in the robbery, abduction, and death of Um.
