NEW YORK -- Shocking news has emerged as two squatters are now suspected of being involved in the tragic death of a woman whose body was discovered in a duffle bag in her upscale New York City apartment last week.
The victim, identified as Nadia Vitel, 52, was determined to have passed away from blunt force head trauma, as confirmed by the medical examiner's office.
Reports indicate that the NYPD has managed to identify the two squatters believed to be responsible for her death.
Allegedly, Vitel had traveled from Spain to New York City with the intention of preparing the apartment for a family friend to move in. The apartment had remained unoccupied for several months following the passing of her mother.
According to police sources, Vitel had no knowledge that the apartment was being inhabited by two squatters. Surveillance footage captured her frequent visits to the apartment upon her arrival.
It is suspected that the two individuals returned to the apartment after Vitel's arrival, leading to a confrontation that tragically resulted in her demise from the brutal beating she endured.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspects fleeing the scene in Vitel's Lexus, as shown in surveillance recordings.
Vitel's remains were discovered on March 14th, days after her son and the building's superintendent embarked on a search for her. They tracked her phone to her apartment, where they made a grim discovery - her body was found crammed into a duffle bag in the closet, with a foot protruding.
Authorities later learned that many of Vitel's personal items had been discarded down the building's trash chute, according to sources.
Vitel's Lexus was located in Lower Paxton Township, Pennsylvania, following an accident. The vehicle was eventually found abandoned. Surveillance footage captured the suspects attempting to buy a used car, as per sources.
The two individuals implicated in the case are currently evading capture. The Joint Fugitive Task Force has been mobilized to track them down.
If you have any information, please contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or in Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online or via direct message on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All reports will be handled with confidentiality.
