Squatters Indicted For Murdering Tenant Whose Body Was Found In Duffel Bag In NYC Apartment
Following the discovery of Nadia Vitels' body inside a duffel bag in her apartment on March 14, Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada were apprehended following an extensive week-long investigation into her death.
The two individuals have been formally accused of the homicide of the 52-year-old woman in Manhattan.
Nadia Vitels was discovered deceased inside a duffel bag within her residence in March. Alston, 18, and Tejada, 19, were arrested following an extensive investigation by the New York City Police Department, reported by PEOPLE.
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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced on Thursday that both suspects had been indicted for allegedly murdering Vitels within her Kips Bay apartment.
Alston and Tejada face multiple charges, including two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree robbery, six counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, seven counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, and three counts of concealment of a human corpse.
"Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada allegedly murdered Nadia Vitels in her own apartment while she was moving in to start a new chapter of her life. I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family as they continue to mourn her loss," Bragg stated. "My office will secure justice for Nadia Vitels."
According to a press release, court records unveiled that Vitels commenced transferring her possessions from her vehicle to her fresh abode at the morning of March 10. Shortly thereafter, she departed in her car.
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The suspects, who had already entered the apartment, left the place that afternoon "to purchase a vape at a smoke shop and a suitcase at Target using Ms. Vitels' credit card," according to the police timeline. Later, they re-entered the apartment using a key.
Later that night, Alston and Tejada exited the building carrying various items, such as toilet paper, a Target bag, the newly purchased suitcase, and the original pink suitcase. They proceeded to drive Vitels' car in the direction of Pennsylvania.
Concerns arose on March 14 when Vitels failed to respond to her family's attempts to reach her.
Upon gaining entry to her apartment, facilitated by the building superintendent, Vitels' family discovered her dog unattended and a visible crack in one of the bedroom walls.
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"When they checked the coat closet by the front door, coats were piled on a bag on the floor," the press release said. "A family member moved the coats aside and noticed that the bag contained Ms. Vitels' body."
Vitels' death was attributed to blunt force trauma.
"During their nine days in Pennsylvania, Alston and Tejada made multiple purchases with Ms. Vitels' credit cards, including a PS5, AirPods, clothing, food, and a diamond ring," the press release detailed.
The pair was apprehended on March 22 in York, Pa., by the United States Marshals.
