NYC Mom Stomped to Death by Ruthless Squatter as She Planned Fresh Start

Devastated son blasts 'animal' killer who stole his mother's life just as she was moving on after years of caring for her ill parents.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:52pm

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An extreme close-up of a damaged door frame, reflecting the harsh reality of a violent home invasion that took an innocent life.The violent home invasion that claimed Nadia Vitels' life exposes the need for improved housing security and support services for vulnerable residents in New York City.NYC Today

A 21-year-old man named Halley Tejada was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the vicious March 2024 killing of Nadia Vitels, a 52-year-old New York City woman who was stomped to death in her own apartment by Tejada and another squatter. Vitels' devastated son, Michael Medvedev, delivered a heartbreaking statement condemning Tejada as an 'animal' who 'stole' his mother's life just as she was finally planning a new chapter after years of caring for her ill parents.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the growing issue of squatters occupying vacant apartments in New York City, and the potential for violent confrontations when residents return to their own homes. It also underscores the devastating impact of such crimes on victims' families, who are left to grapple with the senseless loss of a loved one.

The details

Tejada and his 20-year-old girlfriend, Kensley Alston, had been squatting in Vitels' vacant 19th-floor apartment on East 31st Street when Vitels arrived on March 12, 2024, to prepare the unit for a friend's visit. Vitels ordered the intruders to leave, but Tejada snapped, threatened to kill her, and then chased her down, throwing her to the ground and ferociously stomping her. Vitels suffered multiple skull fractures and two broken ribs, injuries typically seen in victims of train strikes or falls from great heights. Tejada and Alston then stole Vitels' car and went on a spending spree before being arrested about a week later in Pennsylvania.

  • On March 12, 2024, Nadia Vitels was killed in her Manhattan apartment.
  • Two days later, Vitels' body was discovered after her son, Michael Medvedev, called police for a wellness check when he couldn't reach her.

The players

Halley Tejada

A 21-year-old man who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the vicious killing of Nadia Vitels.

Nadia Vitels

A 52-year-old New York City woman who was stomped to death in her own apartment by Tejada and another squatter as she was planning a fresh start in her life.

Michael Medvedev

The devastated son of Nadia Vitels, who delivered a heartbreaking statement condemning Tejada as an 'animal' who 'stole' his mother's life.

Kensley Alston

Tejada's 20-year-old girlfriend, who was also involved in the crime and is awaiting trial.

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What they’re saying

“My mom and I were a family of two, it was just us against the world. No matter how tough things got, she built her entire life out of nothing. She sacrificed everything so I can have stability, opportunities and a sense of security. She was supposed to be here forever…but on March 12, 2024, this animal took her from me.”

— Michael Medvedev, Son of Nadia Vitels

“What hurts even more is looking back and seeing everything this animal stole from us. She was moving into the city, excited to build a life that was truly her own. In an instant, in an instant, all of it was ripped away. This animal didn't just take her life, he stole the years she had left to live for herself. That sense of safety she's given me, my rock…is gone forever. That animal stole my mother.”

— Michael Medvedev, Son of Nadia Vitels

What’s next

Kensley Alston's case is still pending, and she is due back in court on May 1.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the devastating impact of squatters and violent crime on victims' families, and the urgent need for stronger measures to address the growing issue of illegal occupancy in New York City's vacant apartments.