A woman preparing for a fresh start in her life was tragically killed by a trespasser who used her stolen credit card to purchase a PS5 after hiding her body in a duffel bag.
Nadia Vitels, aged 52, was discovered deceased inside a duffel bag at her residence in Manhattan as she was in the process of moving into the property on March 14, 2024. Halley Tejada and Kensly Alston were accused by prosecutors of unlawfully entering her home while she was relocating and being present in the residence when she returned a few days later with her dog.
Tejada faced charges for her murder, with court proceedings revealing that he had left Ms. Vitels’ body concealed in a bag inside a closet, later found by her shocked son.
Prosecutors detailed in an indictment from April 2024 that Tejada had fatally assaulted the victim, causing injuries described as “The kind of fracture typically seen when someone gets struck by a train or falls from a great height.”
Following the assault, the duo stole her credit card, concealed her body, and fled with Alston driving her car towards Pennsylvania, where they engaged in a nine-day spending spree using the card. Among the items acquired were a PS5, clothing, food, and a diamond ring they claimed to have gotten engaged with.
They were apprehended on March 22, 2024, in York, Pennsylvania. Both faced charges including murder in the second degree, burglary in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny, and concealment of a human corpse.
Tejada was recently sentenced at the Manhattan Supreme Court after admitting guilt to second-degree murder on December 17 of the previous year. He received a prison term of 20 years to life, a decision lauded by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr, who extended condolences to Ms. Vitels’ family.
Expressing his sentiments, he stated, “Nadia Vitels was on the brink of 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 sentence of 20 years to life in state prison for his abominable and lethal actions.”
Ms. Vitels’ son delivered a victim impact statement during the sentencing, reminiscing about his caring mother and condemning Tejada as a heartless perpetrator. He emotionally expressed, “Her laughter was unique, infectiously captivating. I can still hear it in my mind. It was just us against the world. Now, it’s just me. I’m alone. This monster took her away from me.”
Ending on a determined note, he vowed to live his life following his mother’s values of hard work, selflessness, and courage. Alston’s legal case is still pending as she has pleaded not guilty.