Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencings of both KENSLY ALSTON, 20, and HALLEY TEJADA, 21, to 20 years-to-life in state prison for murdering Nadia Vitels in her Kips Bay apartment on March 12, 2024.

On December 17, 2025, TEJADA pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme court to one count of Murder in the Second Degree and was sentenced on April 14, 2026.

On May 1, 2026, ALSTON pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme court to one count of Murder in the Second Degree and was sentenced on June 26, 2026.

"Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada were each sentenced to 20 years-to-life in state prison for brutally murdering Nadia Vitels, a mother who was starting a new chapter in life," said District Attorney Bragg. "While I hope today's sentencing can provide some closure, it will not bring Ms. Vitels back. My heart is with her loved ones who continue to feel her loss every day."

According to court documents and statements made on the record, and as admitted in their guilty pleas, on March 10, 2024, beginning at approximately 10:33 a.m., Ms. Vitels transported items from her vehicle to her new apartment on East 31st Street, before leaving in her car a few minutes later.

Later that day, at approximately 1:00 p.m., ALSTON and TEJADA accessed Ms. Vitels' apartment with a pink suitcase before briefly leaving the building twice that same day.

On March 11, 2024, at approximately 5:30 p.m., TEJADA briefly went to Target.

On March 12, 2024, Ms. Vitels parked her car in front of her building and returned to her apartment with her dog at approximately 11:30 a.m., where ALSTON and TEJADA were still inside the apartment.

Later that day, ALSTON and TEJADA briefly left the apartment at approximately 2:24 p.m. to purchase a vape at a smoke shop and a suitcase at Target using Ms. Vitels' credit card. They returned at approximately 3:03 p.m., entering the building with a key.

At approximately 5:45 p.m., ALSTON and TEJADA left the building wearing blue gloves, with the suitcase they purchased at Target, the pink suitcase they arrived with, toilet paper, and a Target bag. They drove away in Nadia Vitel's car a few minutes later, heading towards Pennsylvania.

On Thursday, March 14, 2024, Ms. Vitels' loved ones were concerned that she had not responded to their messages since she moved into the apartment. The super of the building let her family access her apartment, where they immediately noticed that her dog was alone and saw a crack in a bedroom wall. When they checked the coat closet by the front door, coats were piled on a bag on the floor. A family member moved the coats aside and noticed that the bag contained Ms. Vitels' body.

It was later determined that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.

During their nine days in Pennsylvania, ALSTON and TEJADA made multiple purchases with Ms. Vitels' credit cards, including a PS5, airpods, clothing, food, and a diamond ring.

The defendants were apprehended by the United States Marshals on Friday, March 22, 2024, in York, Pennsylvania.

Assistant D.A.s Elizabeth Clerkin (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Jillian Shartrand (Trial Bureau 30) handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD's 17th Precinct Detective Squad, specifically Detectives John Hostetter and Derek Capponi, and the Manhattan South Homicide Squad, specifically Detective Kevin Carrig.

D.A. Bragg also thanked the United States Marshals, Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police, Springettsbury Township Police Department, and Dauphin County District Attorney's Office for their partnership in this case.

Defendant Information:

KENSLY ALSTON

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 20 years-life in state prison

HALLEY TEJADA

Convicted:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 20 years-life in state prison

###