What to Know
- A New York City woman has been found guilty of attempted murder and other charges for poisoning another woman who looked like her with a sedative-laced cheesecake before robbing her in a bizarre case that took place in 2016, they said. prosecutors on Thursday.
- Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, of Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault , first degree unlawful imprisonment and petty theft. Sentencing will take place on March 21, at which time Nasyrova faces up to 25 years in prison.
- The unusual event unfolded on August 28, 2016, Katz said, citing the evidence. On that day, Nasyrova visited the Forest Hills home of the woman, then 35, with a cheesecake as a gift.
NEW YORK — A New York City woman has been found guilty of attempted murder and other charges for poisoning another woman who looked like her with a sedative cheesecake before robbing her in a bizarre case that took place in 2016, prosecutors said Thursday.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, of Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault , first degree unlawful imprisonment and petty theft. Sentencing will take place on March 21, at which time Nasyrova faces up to 25 years in prison.
The unusual event unfolded on August 28, 2016, Katz said, citing the evidence. On that day, Nasyrova visited the Forest Hills home of the woman, then 35, with a cheesecake as a gift.
According to the evidence, the victim and Nasyrova looked alike at the time as they both had similar hair, complexion and other physical features. Also, they were both Russian speakers.
Citing the evidence, Katz said the Queens woman ate the dessert Nasyrova gave her and then began to feel ill and went to bed. Before passing out, the woman’s last memory was reportedly of seeing Nasyrova walking through her room.
The next day, the victim’s friend discovered her unconscious in her bed with pills scattered all over her body, as if the woman had attempted suicide. She was taken to a hospital for treatment, prosecutors said.
Later, when the woman was released from the hospital and returned home, she apparently realized that her passport and work authorization card were missing, along with a gold ring and other valuables.
Prosecutors said Homeland Security agents analyzed cheesecake residue found in the container and confirmed it was laced with phenazepam, a powerful sedative. Pills found on the floor where the victim was discovered were tested by the Drug Enforcement Administration and were also found to be Phenazepam.
“The jury saw through the deception and the defendant’s plans,” Katz said. “She mixed a slice of cheesecake with a deadly drug so she could steal the unsuspecting victim’s most valuable possession of hers, her identity. Fortunately, her victim survived, and the poison led directly to the culprit. The defendant deserves to be held accountable for her crime with a long term of imprisonment.”
