A woman preparing to embark on a new phase of her life was tragically killed by a squatter who used her stolen credit card to make purchases, including a PS5, after concealing her body in a duffel bag.
Nadia Vitels, aged 52, was discovered deceased inside a duffel bag at her Manhattan residence as she was in the process of moving into the New York property on March 14, 2024. Halley Tejada and Kensly Alston were accused by prosecutors of unlawfully entering her residence while she was moving in and being present in the home when she returned later with her dog.
Tejada was charged with the murder, with court proceedings revealing that he left Ms. Vitels’ body hidden in a bag inside a closet, which was subsequently found by her son in a state of shock.
Details from an indictment filed in April 2024 by prosecutors at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office alleged that Tejada had fatally assaulted the mother. Prosecutors stated that Tejada had caused injuries consistent with those seen in cases of severe impact, such as being struck by a train or falling from a great height.
The duo then stole her credit card, concealed her body, and drove away with Alston in her vehicle towards Pennsylvania, where they engaged in a spending spree over nine days, using the stolen card to purchase various items, including a PS5, clothing, food, and a diamond ring they claimed to have become engaged with.
They were apprehended on March 22, 2024, in York, Pennsylvania. Both were charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree robbery, six counts of possession of stolen property, seven counts of grand larceny, and three counts of concealing a human corpse.
Tejada, after pleading guilty to second-degree murder on December 17 the previous year, was sentenced this week at the Manhattan Supreme Court. He received a prison term of 20 years to life, a decision praised by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg Jr, who also extended his sympathies to Ms. Vitels’ family.
In a statement, Bragg Jr remarked, “Nadia Vitels was on the verge of commencing a new chapter in her life when Halley Tejada brutally ended it in the very apartment she was moving into. Halley Tejada has been handed a 20-year-to-life prison sentence for his reprehensible and fatal actions.”
He added, “My thoughts are with Ms. Vitels’ loved ones who continue to grieve her tragic loss. While this sentence cannot bring her back, I hope it provides some solace.”
During sentencing, Ms. Vitels’ son delivered a victim impact statement to the judge, reminiscing about his caring mother and condemning Tejada as an “animal.” He expressed, “Her laughter was unique and infectious. I still hear it in my mind. It was us against the world. Now, it’s just me. I’m alone. This animal took her from me.”
He concluded by pledging to live his life in the spirit of Nadia’s values – with hard work, selflessness, and courage. Alston’s case remains pending as she has pleaded not guilty.