Family Of Christina Yuna Lee, Who Was Murdered In Her Manhattan Apartment, Sues NYPD For Inaction

Christina Yuna Lee, 35, returned home to her Lower Manhattan apartment after a night out around 4:21 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2022. She climbed the six flights of stairs to her apartment while Assamad Nash allegedly stalked her, following close behind.

Nash, 25, allegedly forced entry into Lee’s apartment and stabbed her more than 40 times in her neck and torso, reported NBC New York. Lee screamed and fought for her life, and at least one neighbor called 911 for help after hearing her screams.

Two police officers arrived within five minutes, and they heard Lee’s screams still coming from the apartment. However, the door was locked, and they struggled to get in. After initially hearing her screams, Lee went quiet as the police were outside her apartment.

According to The New York Times, prosecutor Dafna Yoran said in a Manhattan Criminal Court that police heard another voice after Lee’s screams stopped. That voice, which Yoran noted sounded like a woman, told the officers, “We don’t need the police here — go away.” That second voice turned out to be the murderer speaking.

Sometime later, a specialized police unit arrived and were able to break down the door. However, it was too late for Lee. She was found dead in her bathtub. Police officers found Nash attempting to hide under Lee’s bed. He was immediately taken into custody, and the knife officers believe was the murder weapon was found under a dresser.

On March 16, Nash was charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of sexually motivated burglary, and one count of first-degree burglary in Lee’s death.

Nash had a history of prior arrests that dated back to at least 2015 for such charges as burglary, assault, and drug possession. His last known residence was a homeless shelter on The Bowery.

The New York Times reported that Lee’s murder has incited fears in New York City’s Asian community. They already experienced a rise in racially motivated attacks during the pandemic.

Jacky Wong, 45, a founder of Concerned Citizens of East Broadway, helped organize a vigil for people in the Chinatown community to mourn Lee and voice their fears. Wong told The New York Times that he believes New York’s Asian residents are at greater risk. He said, “The list is getting longer and longer. We can’t see an end.”

In the aftermath of her tragic death, Lee’s family filed a lawsuit against members of the New York City Police Department and New York City, reported CNN. The lawsuit claims that delays in police assistance and medical care resulted in her death. It states that the New York Police Department “unlawfully failed to prevent the assault and battery on Ms. Lee or denied and/or delayed providing medical care to Ms. Lee, leading to her pain, suffering and death.”

At the time of her death, Christina Yuna Lee was working as a creative producer for the online music platform Splice. She held a degree in art history from Rutgers University. The Chinatown community continues to process and mourn the loss, and events like a special run for Christina pay tribute to her memory and legacy.

Friends and family have started a GoFundMe to establish the Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Fund to support organizations that were important to Lee, including SafeWalks, which matches New Yorkers who feel unsafe while commuting with travel companions.