A man has been sentenced to 30 years to life in state prison for fatally stabbing a 35-year-old woman inside her New York City apartment in 2022. The incident occurred after the man followed the woman home, according to the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
The 27-year-old man, Assamad Nash, pleaded guilty to murder and burglary charges in June in connection with the killing of Christina Yuna Lee. District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. described the crime as 'unthinkably horrific' and emphasized the impact it had on the victim's family and the community.
In February 2022, Nash followed Lee to her sixth-floor walk-up apartment in Chinatown. He pushed his way inside when Lee entered her apartment and attempted to sexually assault her, according to the DA’s office.
Police responded to a neighbor’s 911 call and heard Lee calling for help from inside the apartment. Despite their efforts, they initially couldn't breach the door. Nash tried to flee through the fire escape but returned inside upon seeing a police officer on the roof above him.
Officers eventually broke down the apartment door and found Nash hiding under Lee’s mattress with a bloodied kitchen knife nearby. Lee had sustained over 40 stab wounds.
Lee’s family filed a lawsuit in May 2024 against the New York City Police Department and the city, alleging that delays in police assistance and medical care contributed to her death. The NYPD and the city's law department are reviewing the complaint.
The NYPD has not commented on whether Lee’s race or ethnicity played a role in the attack or if the Hate Crimes Task Force is involved in the investigation. The incident has raised concerns about anti-Asian violence, which has been increasing in recent years, according to advocates.
