What to Know
- A New York City woman was sentenced to decades behind bars for poisoning another woman who looked like her with a sedative-filled cheesecake before stealing her ID in a bizarre case that took place in 2016, officials said. prosecutors on Wednesday.
- Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, of Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was convicted in February of attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault degree, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, and petty theft.
- He will now spend 21 years in prison and will also have to undergo five years of post-release supervision. Nasyrova faced up to 25 years in prison.
NEW YORK — A New York City woman was sentenced to decades behind bars for poisoning another woman who looked just like her with a sedative-laced cheesecake before stealing her ID in a bizarre case that took place in 2016, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Viktoria Nasyrova, 47, of Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was convicted in February of attempted second-degree murder, attempted first-degree assault, second-degree assault degree, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, and petty theft. She will now spend 21 years in prison and will also have to undergo five years of post-release supervision. Nasyrova faced up to 25 years in prison.
“A ruthless and calculating con artist will go to prison for a long time for attempting to murder for personal gain and gain. Fortunately, the victim survived the attack on her life and we were able to do justice to “her,” Katz said.
Nasyrova’s conviction and subsequent sentencing stem from a freak event that unfolded on Aug. 28, 2016, Katz said, citing the evidence. On that day, Nasyrova visited the Forest Hills home of the then-35-year-old woman to bring her a cheesecake as a gift.
According to the evidence, the victim and Nasyrova looked alike at the time as they both had dark hair, complexions 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 sick and lay down. 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 law enforcement officers 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.
