NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A man pleaded guilty Tuesday in the fatal stabbing of Christina Yuna Lee, who was followed into her Chinatown apartment in February 2022 and ultimately murdered during an attempted sex assault, prosecutors said.
The brutality of the killing shocked the city—authorities said the 35-year-old victim was stabbed at least 40 times and was heard screaming for help, even as police officers struggled to breach the door to her apartment. It also came amid an outcry over attacks against people of Asian descent in the city; Yuna Lee was Korean American.
More than two years later, Assamad Nash, 27, of Manhattan, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and first-degree burglary as a sexually motivated felony, according to the Manhattan D.A.'s Office.
He's expected to get 30 years-to-life in state prison during his sentencing on July 30.
According to prosecutors, Nash followed Yuna Lee into her apartment building at Grand and Chrystie streets around 4:20 a.m. on Feb. 13.
He trailed her up six flights of stairs and then ran up behind her as she entered her apartment, pushing his way inside and attempting to sexually assault her, prosecutors said.
Neighbors called 911 after hearing a struggle and Yuna Lee screaming. NYPD officers arrived just minutes later and also heard her screams, but they had trouble breaching the door to gain entry.
Nash tried to flee the apartment through the fire escape but went back inside after spotting a police officer on the roof above him, according to prosecutors.
At 5:40 a.m., officers busted down the apartment door and found Nash hiding under Yuna Lee's bed. A bloody kitchen knife was found hidden under the dresser.
In the bathroom, officers found Yuna Lee, who'd suffered at least 40 stab wounds, including to her head, neck and body. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg praised Tuesday's guilty plea, saying in a statement, "Assamad Nash was held accountable for senselessly taking Christina Yuna Lee's life after he followed her into her own home."
"Ms. Yuna Lee’s family and loved ones were deprived of a daughter, sister, and friend," Bragg said. "My thoughts are with her family and our community as they continue healing from this tragedy."