Prosecutors in Manhattan announced charges on Wednesday against a woman involved in a series of tragic incidents that resulted in the deaths of three men.
Tabitha Bundrick, 38, is accused of targeting at least four victims in Upper Manhattan, employing what authorities describe as “calculated” and “cold” tactics to steal their valuables including cell phones, sneakers, and cash, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Currently in custody, Bundrick is already facing a federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to drug distribution in August linked to these crimes. She now faces murder charges in three different states.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed a firm stance in a statement regarding such criminal behavior, saying, “I want to be very clear to those who think they can escape by drugging and stealing unsuspecting victims.” He emphasized collaboration with law enforcement to address and prosecute these actions.
Bundrick’s troubling activities reportedly began on April 30, 2023, when she met 42-year-old Mario Paulan. After returning to an apartment with him and his friends, she provided them with substances she claimed were cocaine.
According to the prosecutor, Bundrick encouraged the men to take the drugs, despite one victim stating he had no previous experience with them. “She urged him to try again,” the prosecutor recounted, indicating a repeated push to consume the dangerous substance.
Tragically, Paulan died at the scene, with his companions awakening next to him in an empty apartment.
Witness accounts reveal that one survivor recalled using the drugs; the next memory was waking up alone in a room that felt altogether wrong.
A few months later, Bundrick met 39-year-old Miguel Navez and returned to his Washington Heights apartment, where she allegedly administered a fentanyl-laced drug, according to the district attorney’s office.
Days later, Navez was found deceased with his belongings missing, leading to suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
The prosecutor indicated that Bundrick followed a similar pattern on February 25, 2024, when she is believed to have killed Abrihan Fernandez in a Manhattan apartment. Surveillance footage reportedly captured her carrying away large bags, including multiple pairs of sneakers.
She was initially arrested on robbery charges on March 5.
Eric Burse, Bundrick’s public defense attorney, argued that his client was struggling with addiction and mental health issues, suggesting she wasn’t a calculated murderer but rather someone who has faced significant adversities in life.
Bundrick, who has been remanded to Rikers Island while serving her sentence for federal drug offenses, was given a 13-year prison term.
Bragg described Bundrick’s alleged actions as “very calculated,” and he encouraged other potential victims to come forward. “This ruthless behavior has led to the deaths of three people,” he remarked.
If convicted on the new charges, Bundrick could face a sentence of 25 years to life.
