GoFundMe launched to help Exley recover from stabbing

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Robert Exley and his family as he faces a months-long recovery after being stabbed multiple times during an alleged attack at his home on Saipan.

The fundraiser, titled "Help Rob Recover After Home Stabbing to Protect His Family," has a $10,000 goal and seeks to help Exley with medical and recovery costs and living expenses while his injuries prevent him from working.

Exley told Marianas Press that although his recovery has progressed faster than initially expected, he still has a long road ahead.

"I hate to ask for help, but I am going to be disabled for a while and recovering," Exley said.

"My recovery is happening quicker than I anticipated or than my medical team anticipated, but it will still be weeks and weeks and months before I'm back to normal."

Exley said he was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen and legs during the Aug. 21 incident after intervening to protect his family.

He said his wife was also cut several times and required stitches, while their children managed to get away and call 911.

Exley said a responding Department of Public Safety officer applied a tourniquet to his leg before he was rushed to the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation.

He underwent surgery and received several units of blood.

"I feel that it was quite close to death and that I was lucky," Exley said.

Exley credited the responding officer and Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. medical personnel with saving his life.

Aside from his physical injuries, Exley said his family continues to deal with the emotional aftermath of the incident.

"We're all dealing with trauma," he said.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Lianyong Wei, 51, was arrested by DPS following the incident on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, disturbing the peace, assault and battery, and aggravated assault and battery.

Wei was transferred to ICE custody the following day pending removal proceedings. He was found unresponsive at the Department of Corrections facility on Aug. 23 and later pronounced dead at CHCC.

Corrections Commissioner Anthony C. Torres has said the department is treating Wei's death as an apparent suicide after an internal investigation found him unresponsive with a ligature around his neck. The official cause and manner of death remain subject to a medical examiner's determination and reviews by DPS, ICE, and other appropriate investigative authorities.

Exley said his family appreciates those who are willing to help as he continues recovering.

"Please remember that there are victims to this story," he said.

Those wishing to contribute to Exley's recovery may visit the GoFundMe campaign at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-robert-recover-after-home-stabbing?cp_src=d