Two teen squatters, Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18, were charged with murder in the death of Nadia Vitels, a 52-year-old Manhattan mom whose body was found stuffed in a duffle bag in her mother’s apartment. Tejada and Alston were extradited from Pennsylvania to face second-degree murder charges in Manhattan Criminal Court. Police had found Vitels’ body during a welfare check in the apartment on East 31st Street, which had been vacant for several months after her mother’s death. Vitels had gone to check on the apartment after her return from a trip to Spain and encountered the suspects who were later captured on security cameras.
Vitels’ 23-year-old son had received a text from her on March 10 but did not hear from her again. Concerned, he called the police to conduct a wellness check on March 14, which led to the discovery of Vitels’ body. The autopsy revealed blunt force injuries to the head, multiple facial fractures, a brain injury, and two broken ribs. The suspects were caught on surveillance footage fleeing the apartment and taking Vitels’ Lexus SUV, which they drove through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania where they crashed the vehicle. They were apprehended in Lower Paxton Township after using the dead woman’s credit card while on the run.
Tejada was seen being led out of the 17th Precinct stationhouse in handcuffs with no response to questions from reporters. The suspects were scheduled to be arraigned on the murder charges and are facing serious legal consequences for their alleged actions. The details of the crime shocked the community, as the circumstances of Vitels’ death and the involvement of the young squatters in her murder were disturbing. It was a tragic and senseless crime that left family and friends devastated by the loss of a loved one in such a violent manner.
The investigation into Vitels’ murder involved tracking the suspects’ movements from the apartment in Manhattan to Pennsylvania, where they were eventually captured. The suspects’ use of Vitels’ credit card added another layer of criminal activity to the case, showing a callous disregard for the victim and her family. The details of the crime and the suspects’ actions added to the tragedy of Vitels’ death, highlighting the need for justice to be served in the case. The community mourned the loss of a vibrant and caring individual whose life was cut short in such a brutal and unfathomable way.
The heinous nature of the crime, the involvement of the young suspects, and the brazenness of the act all contributed to the shock and horror felt by those close to Vitels and the wider community. The investigation and legal process surrounding the case will provide answers and hopefully bring a sense of closure to those affected by Vitels’ death. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in dealing with unknown individuals, especially in situations where security and safety may be compromised. The community came together in mourning and support for Vitels’ loved ones, with a strong desire for justice to be served in the case of her untimely and tragic death.
