Duffel Bag Murder
Nadia Vitel, a 52-year-old Spain woman, was killed by squatters at her mother’s New York City apartment. It was said that the victim traveled to the United States to prepare her mother’s Manhattan apartment for a family friend. The Kips Bay flat had been unoccupied for some months after Vitel’s mother died.
When Vitel went inside, she found a man and a woman living in the apartment. An altercation between the squatters and Vitel then took place, where it appears the victim was thrown into a sheetrock wall. After the struggle, the two suspects then allegedly stole Vitel’s Lexus and drove to New Jersey, then to Pennsylvania. Eventually, they crashed in Lower Paxton Township, just outside Harrisburg.
Additionally, on March 14, Vitel’s worried son, who hadn’t heard from his mother in two days, accessed the Kips Bay apartment with the superintendent and other relatives, and unfortunately found her body inside the apartment. Furthermore, Vitel’s body was found inside a duffel bag in a closet, with her foot sticking out of the bag. The autopsy then revel she had died from a blunt force trauma to the head and her death was ruled a homicide.
Taken Into Custody
Moreover, on Friday in York, Pennsylvania the two suspects on the run were apprehended by the US Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force. They were connected to the two Manhattan squatters in the duffle bag homicide of Nadia Vitel. The two suspects are Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18.
The apprehension comes a day after NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny disclosed that the case had broadened to include events in Pennsylvania following a vehicular crash involving the two suspects, who were seen on video leaving the 19th-floor apartment on East 31st Street where Vitel’s body was found. This two suspects were arrested in connection to Manhattan squatters duffel bag murder.
After the Manhattan squatters duffel bag murder and the crash that lead after, they were seen in surveillance video visiting multiple car dealerships, attempting to buy a new car for $1,000. They were not successful. Through the aftermath of the crash provided law enforcement with vital leads to apprehend the suspects, despite initial delays caused by local police not running the vehicle’s plates immediately.
On Going Investigation
In addition, at the moment the case is still under investigation there is no clear or specific information of the charges on the suspects, nor is their details regarding the suspects capture. However, as mentioned above it is confirmed authorities apprehended Manhattan squatters following duffle bag murder.
However, what we do know is that investigators have been meticulously reconstructing Vitel’s movements in the days leading up to her murder. The police has been using surveillance footage that show Vitel around the apartment on March 10 and the suspects entering shortly after. Only to be seen leaving the apartment on March 12 in the stolen vehicle.
Regarding how the squatters enter the apartment is still unknown as well. The squatters were able to occupy the apartment, which has no front door. The only “door” to the apartment is the building’s elevator, which opens directly into the space. However, the elevator requires key access to take someone into the apartment. For this reason detectives are still figuring out how the two got the elevator to open on Vitels’ floor.
Squatters Rights
Furthermore, despite the fact that it is extremely infuriating for some strangers to claim your property and enter your home. Squatters do have rights that protect them. Squatters’ rights, commonly known as adverse possession laws, differ by state, including Illinois. Adverse possession rules generally allow someone to claim ownership of property if they have occupied and maintained it publicly and continuously for a set amount of time. The time can typically range from 5 to 20 years depending on the state.
For an individual to acquire ownership of property through adverse possession, they must meet several criteria’s. This include:
- Open and Notorious Possession: The individual’s occupation of the property must be open, visible, and evident to others. It must alert the genuine owner that someone else is claiming ownership of the home.
- Continuous Possession: The occupation must be ongoing and unbroken for the statutory duration, which in Illinois is normally 20 years.
Overall, if an owner wishes to get back possession of their property. The must follow a legal eviction process to remove squatters. Typically beginning with a call to local law enforcement and filing an Unlawful Detainer Action.
Written By Nohemi Sanchez
Sources:
4NEW YORK: Teen fugitives in Manhattan duffel bag murder caught in Pennsylvania
ABC NEWS: Squatters in custody after woman found dead in duffel bag in Manhattan apartment
ABC7: 2 suspected squatters in custody in Pennsylvania after woman found dead in duffel bag in Manhattan
ANDERSON: What are Squatters’ Rights?
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