Inset: Tabitha Bundrick (Penacon.com). Background: The area in Washington Heights where Bundrick allegedly killed one of her victims (Google Maps).
A 38-year-old woman in New York has been detained after allegedly drugging four men with the intention of robbing them, resulting in the deaths of three due to a fentanyl-laced mixture.
Tabitha Bundrick has been apprehended and charged with three counts of second-degree murder, four counts of first-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree burglary, and one count of second-degree assault, as per the authorities’ reports.
“This heartless conduct allegedly resulted in the deaths of three individuals. As asserted, every incident was premeditated: Tabitha Bundrick intentionally administered fentanyl-laced drugs to incapacitate her victims, enabling her to steal their personal possessions. Due to our extended investigation, she is now confronting serious charges,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. stated in an announcement. “I want to strongly caution those who believe they can evade justice by drugging and robbing unsuspecting individuals: in collaboration with our law enforcement associates, we will uncover and prosecute such conduct.”
Last year, Bundrick admitted guilt in federal court to two charges of narcotics distribution and received a 13-year prison sentence. This sentence is to be served at the same time as any potential state charges, where she may face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
As per a news release from Bragg’s office, the thefts occurred between April 2023 and February 2024, with Bundrick “deliberately” providing victims with fentanyl-laced drugs to render them unconscious, enabling her to steal their cash, phones, watches, clothing, and sneakers.
The initial fatal episode happened on April 30, 2023, when Bundrick reportedly engaged with two men on the street in Washington Heights “under the pretense of selling them soap.”
“She then offered to have sex in exchange for money and led them back to an empty apartment on West 159th Street that she broke into,” the release states.
Bundrick offered the men the fentanyl-laced drug, claiming it was cocaine, incapacitating both.
“The next morning, one of the men woke up to find his friend, 42-year-old Mario Paullan, dead beside him,” prosecutors said. “The victim had no recollection of what occurred and found many of their personal belongings were missing, including his cellphone. Bundrick allegedly used the stolen cellphone to make phone calls.”
Just under five months later, Bundrick allegedly went back to the apartment of 39-year-old Miguel Navez on West 158th Street in Washington Heights and provided him similar drugs. The victim’s brother found him dead several days later with many of his belongings gone.
The final fatal incident took place in Upper Manhattan on Feb. 25, 2024, prosecutors said. Bundrick allegedly talked her way into the apartment of Abrihan Fernandez on West 144th Street, where she provided him too with the fentanyl-laced drugs.
Afterward, surveillance footage allegedly showed Bundrick enter and exit the residence several times.
“She allegedly rigged the building’s door to get in and out more easily and took several large bags from the apartment, including Mr. Fernandez’s backpack,” the release said. “She got into a cab and took the items back to her apartment. Mr. Fernandez’s credit card was used multiple times over the next several days.”
When authorities executed a search warrant on Bundrick’s home on March 5, they allegedly recovered four pairs of the victims’ sneakers.
“Ms. Bundrick undoubtedly made a poor decision when she shared her drugs with men who were just ‘looking for a good time,'” her defense attorneys wrote in a statement to The Associated Press. “But she never intended to kill anyone.”
Bundrick is currently being held on Rikers Island without bond.
