Two teenagers have been charged with murder in the killing of a woman whose body was found in a duffel bag in her New York City apartment, New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced.
Kensly Alston, 18, and Halley Tejada, 19, are accused of killing 52-year-old Nadia Vitels in her own apartment. They were arrested by U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania, with authorities saying they were driving Vitels' car and using her credit cards to buy a Play Station, a diamond ring and other items.
“Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada allegedly murdered Nadia Vitels in her own apartment while she was moving in to start a new chapter of her life," Bragg said in a statement Thursday. "I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family as they continue to mourn her loss."
Tejada's attorney, Franklin Rothman, told USA TODAY on Friday that he met with his client and the teen's dad on Thursday, describing the father to be "a caring, nurturing guy."
“It's been maybe 24 hours and I have not had a chance to review nearly everything that I need to review but the allegations are horribly disturbing," Rothman said. "I don't know who's responsible for this. This woman was just brutally murdered, and I can't really comment in a meaningful way until I've had an opportunity to really review the evidence.”
Alston's attorney, Norman Williams, did not immediately responded to messages left by USA TODAY for comment on Friday.
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Alston and Tejada were in Vitels' car when they crashed into another car on March 13 in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, about 170 miles west of Manhattan.
The teens were not detained at the time because the New York Police Department had not issued a warrant out for their arrest.
After conducting an investigation, U.S. Marshals discovered that the car involved in the crash belonged to Vitels, officials said. They tracked the teens down and arrested them on March 22.
In a news release, Bragg shared a detailed timeline of the events before and after Vitels' death:
Alston and Tejada are being charged with the following:
Rothman, Tejada's attorney, said that his heart goes out to Vitels' family.
“What words can describe what he must be going through?” Rothman said. “I hope that her family somehow finds peace and again, nothing to do with my client, but that's all you can wish on anyone who had to endure this type of loss and this type of tragedy.”
Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X @forbesfineest.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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