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That's A Crime
A fascinating true crime podcast dissecting everything from a misdemeanor to a murder. Hosts: Jason Connell, award-winning documentary producer & true crime junkie, & Sal Rodriguez, comedian & toy expert/collector.
That's A Crime
Woman Stalked And Stabbed To Death In Her NYC Apartment (2022)
That's A Crime
Episode 32: Woman Stalked And Stabbed To Death In Her NYC Apartment (2022)
Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez break down the true crime story of the Woman Stalked And Stabbed To Death In Her NYC Apartment in 2022. On February 13, 2022, Christina Yuna Lee entered her apartment building at 4:23 a.m. and surveillance footage revealed she was followed by Assamad Nash, who had been hiding outside. After neighbors heard screams, police were called, and later found Nash hiding under a bed and discovered Lee's body in her bathroom with more than 40 stab wounds to her neck and torso from her own kitchen knife.
GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Christina-Yuna-Lee-Memorial-Fund/
Original Episode: S01E32
Recorded: 03-06-22
Studio: Just Curious Media
https://www.JustCuriousMedia.com/
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Welcome to Just curious media. This is that's a crime. I'm Jason Connell.
Sal Rodriguez:And I'm Sal Rodriguez.
Jason Connell:All right, so we are back for another crime.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, a really tragic story here. I'm going to try to maintain my composure because, you know, it's, I want to be professional, you know, but at the same time, I'm Jesus story like, this is just really gut wrenching.
Jason Connell:Absolutely. I saw this video a few weeks ago, and I was traumatized then, and thought, you know, maybe we should cover this. And then I read more about it. And I figured we should cover this as hard as it is definitely should be talked about.
Sal Rodriguez:Well, we talked about it when we say we cover everything from a misdemeanor to a murder, and unfortunately, we indeed have a murder.
Jason Connell:Yes, today we are breaking down the true crime story of the woman stalked and stabbed to death and hurt New York City apartment. And 2022
Sal Rodriguez:very new still raw.
Jason Connell:Yeah, it's very raw, very new. We're gonna jump into it right after a word from our sponsor, because we got to get the business out of the way so absolutely. Support for that. So crime is brought to you by manscaped, who is the best in men's below the waist grooming and offers precision engineered tools for your family jewels. Join over 4 million men worldwide who trust manscaped. And with his exclusive offer, you'll get
Sal Rodriguez:20% off and free worldwide shipping with the code. That's a crime@manscaped.com.
Jason Connell:So as we jump right into this on February 13 2020 to 35 year old Christina Yuna Lee was found stabbed to death in her downtown Manhattan apartment, and what appeared to be a random act. Yeah. So I know I said, I saw the footage. Did you see the video footage like before I even brought this crime to your attention to cover on that to crime?
Sal Rodriguez:Oh, no. Before you brought this to my attention, I had not heard of this. And then after you brought it to my attention, I did watch the portion of the video where they were escorting our suspects out of the building.
Jason Connell:Yes. Yeah. Did you see the footage of him? Well, we'll get into it. I don't get ahead of myself. So according to New York City Police Lee had gotten out of a
cab at about 4:25am Sunday and it was followed into her Chinatown apartment building by a suspect, which was caught on surveillance footage so and again saw this video this is a horrific crime, and it's incredibly scary to see this footage of her walking and him trailing her but not too close. But you know what happens? And it's like watching one of the scariest things you've ever seen unfold.
Sal Rodriguez:You know what I think I'm glad I haven't seen that. Because we're seeing her last moments.
Jason Connell:Exactly. So in the video, the suspect 25 year old Osama Nash is hiding in the shadows as she opens the first door before the door closes he's behind Lee she's unaware of this at least according to the video it doesn't look like she has any idea that someone is stalking and lurking behind her and then she goes all the way to her sixth floor apartment now there's no more footage after that so we don't but what I saw alone and there's actually stills in one of the articles that I read in the New York Post and times and even a steal of that is just jaw dropping scary and it's so late that there's not a lot of people or early I should say there's no one in the hallway this that the other to disrupt someone or to scare someone away right it's it's that perfect time and window
Sal Rodriguez:you know when that time is that creepy time where all the night owls have gone to sleep. And then the morning folk are not yet up between three and six that time there's not any joggers yet. Yeah, that's the creepy time.
Jason Connell:I didn't see footage of Nash actually entering Lee's apartment because the footage is just in at first, you know, the back door and then the first part of the hallway on the first floor.
Sal Rodriguez:Traditionally a building like that in New York would have had a doorman, right?
Jason Connell:No, not all buildings have no,
Sal Rodriguez:no that's what I was led to believe on the West is like all these buildings in New York used to have doorman or had dorms that one. Oh,
Jason Connell:no, there are a lot of buildings that do but there's a lot that don't want. This is one that obviously doesn't. Or security obviously. Yes, exactly. This building is probably going to make that change now, I'm assuming and others let's hope.
Sal Rodriguez:Unfortunately, it oftentimes we see this at crosswalk, somebody's got to get hit before they put a light. Unfortunately, lives have to be lost before any substantial changes are made. Any safety measures are considered you know, unfortunately, yeah, I'm going to assume that I'm going to hope that there will be some things done so that this does not happen to anybody else ever again, particularly in that neighborhood or building. But unfortunately, it oftentimes takes something like this to happen.
Jason Connell:Yeah, and we're, I guess led to believe that he forced his way into her building. So follows follows follows up on the sixth floor. We Don't know when she became aware of that he was there his presence. But there had to be a struggle because a neighbor called 911 After hearing Lee screaming help me call 911. So that's happening for 2430 something 440. We don't know exactly when. But it didn't take long. And when the police officers responded to the scene, Nash was in the apartment and imitated a woman's voice. Oh my god. Yeah, exactly. Right.
Sal Rodriguez:That's like upping the creep factor.
Jason Connell:Yeah, but we don't know what's going on. She's in there leaves in there. He's pretending to be a woman saying he doesn't need the police. He then tried to escape through the fire escape memories on the sixth floor, but saw an officer on the roof above him went back inside and barricaded himself in the apartment.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, we don't know the time. Right. The disease says she got out of the cabinet for 23. At this point is a cop on the roof. We don't know the timeframe.
Jason Connell:Or she's made in her apartment scream nine. One one's called. So how long does that take to respond to the
Sal Rodriguez:lysosome? Seen? 20 minutes? You would think? Yeah, at least. Wow.
Jason Connell:And I can only imagine how what these officers are thinking like, in time is of the essence in these situations. They're responding to something someone's acting off. There's a woman in there, the neighbors are saying, Hey, someone was screaming. And then someone's trying to make an exit plan. And he's barricade himself. And it's just getting more and more severe. And officers have to act on this type of situation.
Sal Rodriguez:Well, yeah, but essentially, they don't know if it's a hostage situation. They don't know. They don't know the status, exemplar victim, unfortunately. So they got to be very careful how they proceed here. Because you know, In instances like this, you can put the victim in jeopardy.
Jason Connell:Right, officers were soon able to breach the apartment and found Nash hiding under a bed. Tragically, they also found Lee naked from the waist up in her bathroom. And I believe it was the bathtub with more than 40 stab wounds to her neck torso, from her own kitchen knife. And she was pronounced dead at the scene. And it's Dyk your worst nightmare realized here.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, this is ultimate horror here. Oh, absolutely terrible. And her own knife, which means that what he didn't have any weapons on his own, which means this guy, this may have been not necessarily premeditated. Whereas maybe this guy just saw a brief opportunity and took advantage of an opportunity to fulfill you know, wicked desires, because if this were premeditated, he most likely would have had his own weapon wouldn't have used one of her knives. So that was that's what makes us even more weird is that it was kind of almost a spontaneous crime. And then the 40 wounds. That's crazy. I mean, you don't need 40 times to kill somebody. So that's what makes us even more horrific and more. What grizzly is the word?
Jason Connell:That is a good word to describe this, unfortunately. Yeah. Did she fight back and then it went haywire. And this person sounds a bit off there is footage, like you just said of him being escorted out by police. Even him coming in and out of jail during the day a different footage, and he's screaming, I didn't kill anybody, but he just seems off something's mentally not right with this person. And more about him. Nash was named by sources as a homeless career criminal, and was arraigned in criminal court the following evening and is facing charges of murder, burglary and sexual motivated burglary. He faces a sentences high is life without parole. And prosecutors say he was out on supervised release for three open cases, including one where he allegedly punched a stranger on the subway. So so how was someone like this walking in the streets?
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, well, I want to know what those other cases are. They say three cases. One is where he punched a person. And that's the only one I know of. Yeah, the other two, I would assume then violent acts. You know, it won't necessarily be shoplifting. You know, I'm gonna assume the other two had some violence. Their
Jason Connell:supervisor, Elise, who's supervising this person. Yeah.
Sal Rodriguez:How about somebody supervising him at four in the morning? How about that? No. Terrible.
Jason Connell:And then what we've seen even recently on that's a crime. We had the man who was arrested three times in one day, and it didn't get this heinous. But every crime got worse. So here's someone who just keeps getting away with the system. Yeah, he punches someone on a subway. Not good. That's a bad thing. But now, hey, I got away with that. He's in a situation. It just goes south. And he murders an innocent person. Tragically, and this is so bad. And I'm left with why why is this person out there? How can this happen? But this has become a common thing. We can't even keep people in the jails. So we just can't even do that. And one
Sal Rodriguez:thing we You know, for certain is that I mean, anybody who follows True Crime knows that if this guy were to have gotten away with this, somehow he would have done this again. Yeah, somebody like this who could do such a thing will strike again. So, thankfully he was apprehended tragically, this young innocent woman dies. But thankfully he's off the streets now hopefully finally for good.
Jason Connell:Absolutely. Well, prosecutors said they will work to determine whether the defendant targeted the victim or committed the crime due to a racial animus or belief. They don't know. But as of yet, no evidence has been found. And so this is obviously a major issue across the country. And this crime has sparked even more concern, and rightfully so.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah. And I honestly, I'd forgotten about it. But I remember there was some instances of where they think Asian Americans were targeted. Oh, they were Yeah, they were. Yeah. But I didn't know that. The fear still lives. I mean, I thought it just came and went, you know, I don't know that these things still continue. So, yeah, I think that they're trying to say that there's could have been a racial element here. Now, the concept of hate crimes is a relatively new in the legal system, I think maybe started in the late 80s. Maybe I think they came up with the concept of a hate crime. So if you were to commit a murder or a crime, and part of your incentive to do so was the victims race or possibly religion, it increases the penalties, big time. So if they can somehow prove that this was racially motivated, as well as sexually as well as he's there to steal? It? Can I think we have a greater opportunity of them throwing the book at him.
Jason Connell:Yeah. Yeah, it did happen and has happened a lot, especially since the pandemic
Sal Rodriguez:and yes, that's what it was. I'd forgotten. Yes, yeah, we're
Jason Connell:targeting Asian Americans and artists, Asians visiting, but you know, they were going up and just punching a lady in the street, or attacking someone and there's no rhyme or reason other than they were like, well, they're connected to the pandemic. And so they're taking it happened. Los Angeles happened in New York, it probably happened lots of places, but I saw a lot more footage from New York.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, it's similar to the reaction to 911. Some people started then targeting Middle Eastern people. Yeah. Okay. So we've seen this before. And now here it is, again.
Jason Connell:And just to be clear, Nash is a black man. Yeah. And Lee was an Asian woman. So there could be this at play, but obviously, we've seen it happen. We don't know if his intentions were such but the Asian community is up in arms because they don't feel safe. And rightfully so. Yeah. So hours after the crime was reported. Asian American community leaders rallied near the scene demanding action from the City and State Assemblywoman, Hughley new, said as she broke down in tears, you know, the same. This is so gruesome and so horrible, and so cruel. So she's coming out and standing with her constituents or people and, and then also New York governor, the first female New York Governor, Kathy Hall, cool, tweeted that she was mourning this tragic and heartbreaking loss of life. We have seen far too many acts of violence against a Pei and Sal want to see what that stands for.
Sal Rodriguez:That would be Asian American Pacific Islander. Yeah. I've never heard of that term.
Jason Connell:before. I had neither. So it was here. So AAPI New Yorkers in recent months, we must make sure every community is safe. And our state. Well said and let's help there's a lot of action behind these words. And then Sal, why don't you share what New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.
Sal Rodriguez:I and New Yorkers across the city mourn for the innocent woman murdered in her home last night in Chinatown, and stand with our Asian brothers and sisters today. The NYPD is investigating this horrific incident. And I thank them for apprehending the suspect. While the suspect who committed this heinous act is now in custody, the conditions that created him remain. The mission of this administration is clear. We won't let this violence go unchecked.
Jason Connell:Let's hope not. Let's really help.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, because this is a whole a whole mishmash of things. On one hand, you may have the anti Asian sentiment in the air, then this guy, I'm going to assume if you are capable of stabbing a stranger 40 times in their home, not in self defense. You have mental problems and you are crazy. So we have some again, back to the mental health. Why is this guy walking around in the first place? Because let me tell you something. I'm not one of these electric chair type guys. Lethal injection, right? Just take these people off the street to get them out of our communities before stuff like this happens. I mean, these people, you know, they need help, and they're not going to get it out there on the streets.
Jason Connell:Now they're not and regardless if it's a hate crime or not, this is horrific, gruesome grizzly, as you said. There It needs to be just more protection in general just to save people's lives. Yeah, buildings like this. I saw the building manager or owner, I don't know if he owns that or not. But on several news outlets talking about how sad they were how sweet this girl, Christina Yuna Lee was. And let's hope that they upped the ante on security. Just that little bit of deterrent. Makes this not happen. Sure, someone can't sneak through a door. If there's a security guard there, they're going to pass and move on down the street. So, I mean, right now, if I'm living in a building like this without that type of security, yeah, I'm scared to go out. And that's what's happening. People are scared. And that's no way to live.
Sal Rodriguez:No, no. And I do not encourage anybody to walk around in fear. But and I say, but I do believe in being very vigilant and hyper aware. I think that's, if I could say like, what advantage did grown up in a certain neighborhood do for me, I just made me hyper aware. I mean, I'm always looking over my shoulder. I'm always checking out sketchy people walking around and guys riding bicycles. Looking at the apartment, I always notice that sort of thing. I'm always looking out. I'm with you. I hope people are just just look over your shoulder look around you. Because you know what, you know why? There's always going to be evil, weird, wicked people out there. Lurking? Yeah, there they are out there. So all we can do is just ordinary people trying to live our happy lives. Look over your shoulder, watch your back. How at the theater. I'm in a theater group. Now late night, we're getting out of the theater. 1111 30 We're walking. Yeah, we got each other's back, you know
Jason Connell:someone's power and numbers. Because even if you're aware, like you say, and I'm hyper aware, too. I also know martial arts. I'm a guy, I'm taller. What if you're not? What if you're shorter? Not strong. You're elderly, elderly. So even if you're aware, it's like, what are you going to do? And then you get scared, like, I can't even go out. So yeah, I hope that they rally together, I really hope there's some more security, just put some things in place. Because if it's gonna happen like this now, it can happen again later, somewhere else to someone else. And it's tragic. And I don't want to make light of the victim. And I want to kind of shed some light on her because we should. And as for Christina, Yuna Lee, she was a Rutgers University graduate, and worked as a senior creative producer at the digital music platforms splice. And her employer shared the following statement, Sal, which is really nice and sweet, and on if you take it,
Sal Rodriguez:our hearts are broken, always dedicated to making beautiful and inclusive artwork. Christina is irreplaceable. As we start to process this tragedy, we ask that you remember Christina Lee, as the magical person, she was always filled with joy, we wish peace upon her family in their grief. Yeah, that's what makes us more impactful, because it's one of those things where it's always a good person. It's always a sweet person. It's never the garbage of society. It's these wonderful people that this stuff happens to, you know, that's what makes it even worse. You know, these are good people that this happens to.
Jason Connell:Yeah, this is truly a tragic crime and our hearts go out to the entire Lee family. And Sophie actually informed me of a GoFundMe page that was created for Christina, Yuna Lee. And they're raising$500,000 to support various organizations in her honor. And they've already raised over$400,000, which is amazing. And so why don't you a share the GoFundMe page with people and B, let's talk about how you can share some of the organizations that they're funding and they're helping Emily's honor.
Sal Rodriguez:Yes, we have gofundme.com Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Fund. I think that if somebody were to just maybe even just Google GoFundMe, Christina, you know, Lee, yeah, they'll probably going to get there. Yeah. So what they have is they've been quite successful in raising funds they've raised just over $400,000 $407,000. At this time. The first 100,000 were to allocate some of her preferred programs or movements, if you will, Prospect Park Alliance. That was of Christina's favorite park in the city, womankind. It's founded in 1982. As the New York Asian Women's Center. womankind serves survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual violence of all ages. We have planned parenthood. She was an active donor of Planned Parenthood, Christina was a champion of every woman's right to choose. Elizabeth Street garden Christina believes in the power of green and open spaces as opportunities for self realization and exploration and Safe Walks founded in January 2021, safe locks was established in light of the brutal attacks against multiple women at the Morgan l subway station in Brooklyn, New York. So wow, you know what's really cool also is that you know, your money is going to something good and something that Christina supported and believed in because I think, I don't know if you're on the outskirts of Go Fund means you're like, Where does this money even go? You know? Well, there you go. They tell you exactly where the money goes.
Jason Connell:It's wonderful. Yeah, they're still trying to get to that target goal. I hope they reach it and exceed itself because this money is going to good use. I really liked the name of that last all the organizations, first of all, but say, Fox, that sounds amazing. Whatever they do, whatever this foundation is doing, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Sal Rodriguez:And a great photograph of Christina beautiful smile, happy salutely Yeah, very sad. Rest in peace. Rest in peace, Christina. Yes,
Jason Connell:definitely rest in peace. So that's all I have. Sal was definitely on the sadder side of the more tragic crimes we've covered, but an important crime. You know, I hope that people learn from this and can go to the GoFundMe if they want to. And also just bring awareness. I mean, I like to see what change has happened in New York with all this uproar, and the new governor, and this seems like this is time this is maybe it's that catalyst that helps make more change and make it a safer place for people.
Sal Rodriguez:Yeah, that's big. You know what I love that we can live our lives and we should be able to walk around at four in the morning without having to worry about some psychopath and that is psychopath I don't just throw that word around. I mean, believe me if you look at crimes this guy stabbed or 40 times that is a psychopath this guy's off his rocker so yeah, I should hope that we all learn from this create awareness create more safety and security for people everywhere but especially in this instance in New York.
Jason Connell:And let's help that Nash gets life without parole the least. Get half boy and others like that. So that's it that covers the woman stalked and stabbed to death in her New York City apartment in 2022. And welcome back with another crime next week.
Sal Rodriguez:Yes, hopefully something like not as not as tragic.
Jason Connell:All we mix it up here south so you know that but we do. But no, these
Sal Rodriguez:things really get to me. These are really, really, really rough rough to cover. I think that I'm gonna need to recover from this.
Jason Connell:Yeah, and you didn't even watch all the video and don't if you can't do it, but it's really, really horrific.
Sal Rodriguez:I just want to remember Christina's beautiful smile. That's really what I'd like to think about.
Jason Connell:I plan on checking back in and following this GoFundMe page and see how it where it goes. I mean, they might hit their goal and then push it higher and give organization was they did yeah. So if they've already kind of been successful, and they continue, continue the wave. So unlike your confidence, and always use the right tools for the job with manscaped
Sal Rodriguez:get 20% off and free shipping with the code. That's a crime@manscaped.com
Jason Connell:So thank you so much for listening, and please be sure to subscribe to the that's a crime podcast as well as that's a crime YouTube Live Channel. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast.
Sal Rodriguez:And for all your listeners that enjoy sharing your thoughts. You can leave us a review on Apple podcasts, send us a direct message or post a comment on any that's a crime social media platform.
Jason Connell:We also highly recommend checking out our other podcast and visiting just curious media.com
