New York, NY – Two teenagers have been charged with murder in connection to the tragic death of a 52-year-old mother, Nadia Vitels, whose body was discovered in a duffel bag in her luxurious Manhattan apartment back in March. Authorities announced that Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada are facing several charges, including murder, burglary, robbery, grand larceny, and concealment of a human corpse, for their roles in this heinous crime.
The Manhattan district attorney revealed the details of the case, highlighting how the victim’s upscale apartment on East 31st Street, with its direct elevator access, was supposed to provide privacy and exclusivity but instead became the site of a brutal violation. Alston and Tejada are accused of taking advantage of the lax security measures, entering the residence and committing the unthinkable act.
As Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg stated, the suspects allegedly carried out the murder while Vitels was in the process of starting a new chapter in her life. The timeline of events leading up to her tragic demise paints a chilling picture of how the perpetrators gained access to the apartment on March 10 and continued to return multiple times over the next two days.
Upon Vitels’ return to her home on March 12, she unwittingly walked into a horrifying scene, encountering the suspects still inside her apartment. The ensuing events, including the illegal use of her credit card and the subsequent discovery of her body by concerned loved ones, added layers of horror to an already gruesome crime. The cause of death, determined to be blunt force trauma, only added to the tragedy.
The investigation took a significant turn when Alston and Tejada were apprehended in Pennsylvania by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. Their reckless spending spree, using stolen credit cards for various purchases, ultimately led to their capture. The aftermath of their ill-fated journey, marked by car crashes and impulsive spending on luxury items, provided vital clues for law enforcement to bring the suspects to justice.
As the legal proceedings unfold, questions remain about the motive behind this senseless crime, the impact on the victim’s family and community, and the steps taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The chilling details of the case serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking behind closed doors, even in the seemingly secure confines of an upscale apartment building.