Manhattan, New York – Two teenagers accused of squatting were charged with murder in the case of a 52-year-old mother found dead in her duffel bag in a luxury Manhattan apartment. Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada face multiple charges, including murder, burglary, robbery, grand larceny, and concealment of a human corpse in connection with the death of Nadia Vitels.
The tragic incident unfolded in Vitels’ 19th-floor apartment on East 31st Street, known for its exclusive and private setting. The direct elevator access into the residence provided an entry point for the teen squatters, leading to the heinous crime within its walls.
According to court documents, Vitels was in the process of settling into her new Kips Bay apartment when the teenagers gained entry. Alston and Tejada were seen entering the residence with a pink suitcase, leaving and returning multiple times over the following days before Vitels arrived home.
Upon Vitels’ return, the teenagers were still inside the apartment, having used her credit card to make purchases and engaging in suspicious activities. Eventually, they departed the building with various items, leaving Vitels’ loved ones concerned after days of silence from her.
The discovery of Vitels’ deceased body inside a bag in her apartment sparked an investigation that led to the arrest of Alston and Tejada in Pennsylvania. The pair’s alleged actions, including driving Vitels’ car and making purchases with stolen credit cards, contributed to the authorities’ pursuit and apprehension efforts.
The turning point in the case came after a crash involving Vitels’ car provided crucial leads for law enforcement, despite initial delays in identifying the suspects. The depth of the investigation, spanning from the victim’s apartment to the recovery of personal items and the suspects’ purchases, shed light on the severity of the crime.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Alston and Tejada’s future remains uncertain, with details on legal representation yet to be disclosed. The unfortunate tragedy highlights the vulnerability that can stem from home intrusion and the importance of swift justice in such instances, drawing attention to the need for enhanced security measures in residential settings.