New York Cab Driver Finds Passenger Dead in Back Seat

Siriwathi Perera must clear her name and find the real killer before her court date.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Siriwathi Perera, a New York City taxi driver, picks up her last fare of the night only to discover her passenger dead in the back seat when they arrive at his destination. Pinned as the obvious suspect, Siriwathi teams up with her lawyer friend Amaya Fernando to chase down leads across the city and find the real killer before Siriwathi's court date, where she faces the possibility of her life being "over before she can even truly live it."

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges facing service workers like taxi drivers, who are often thrust into unexpected and dangerous situations, as well as the complexities of the criminal justice system from the perspective of both the accused and their legal defenders.

The details

In three separate incidents, police said Siriwathi Perera discovered her passenger dead in the back seat of her taxi, with the victim having been stabbed in the chest. Siriwathi, who has a background as a public defender, must now fight to clear her name and find the real killer, chasing down leads across New York City's five boroughs and Roosevelt Island with the help of her friend Amaya, a criminal defense lawyer.

  • Siriwathi picked up her last fare of the night, only to discover the passenger dead in the back seat upon arrival at his destination.

The players

Siriwathi Perera

A New York City taxi driver who finds herself at the center of a murder investigation after discovering a dead passenger in the back of her cab.

Amaya Fernando

A criminal defense lawyer and friend of Siriwathi's who helps her investigate the case and clear her name.

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What they’re saying

“You're going to be ok. I'm here.”

— Amaya Fernando, Criminal Defense Lawyer

What’s next

Siriwathi and Amaya have just five days to find the real killer before Siriwathi's court date, where she faces the possibility of her life being "over before she can even truly live it."

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges and dangers faced by service workers like taxi drivers, as well as the complexities of the criminal justice system from the perspective of both the accused and their legal defenders. It also showcases the power of friendship and determination in the face of adversity.