Tabitha Bundrick, 39, pleaded guilty to giving fentanyl-laced drugs to four men during a Manhattan robbery scheme that killed three victims. Prosecutors said she stole phones, money, watches, sneakers and other belongings after the men became incapacitated. The offenses occurred between April 2023 and February 2024, and Bundrick is expected to receive a sentence of 27 years to life. Her sentencing is scheduled for October 6.
The case involved three deaths and one surviving victim. Authorities said the victims were found in apartments or private residences, in some cases by relatives or friends who became concerned after they could not make contact.
| 1) | Guilty plea and expected sentence |
|---|---|
| 2) | How the fentanyl robbery scheme operated |
| 3) | The deaths of three Manhattan men |
| 4) | Investigative details and official response |
| 5) | What happens next in the case |
Guilty plea and expected sentence
Tabitha Bundrick pleaded guilty on Tuesday to three counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault. The plea covers conduct in Manhattan between April 2023 and February 2024, when prosecutors said she gave men drugs containing fentanyl before taking their property.
Under the expected disposition, Bundrick is scheduled to receive a sentence of 27 years to life. The sentencing hearing is set for October 6. The plea formally resolves the criminal case while leaving the court to impose the final sentence.
How the fentanyl robbery scheme operated
According to prosecutors, Bundrick approached men, offered drugs or sexual services, and brought them to locations where she could carry out the robberies. She allegedly provided fentanyl-laced drugs and then removed personal belongings after the victims became unconscious or died.
The stolen items included cell phones, sneakers, money and watches. Prosecutors said the conduct was not limited to one location or one victim, with incidents occurring in apartments and other residences in Manhattan. The assault charge relates to the fourth man who was given the drugs but survived.
The deaths of three Manhattan men
The first incident occurred on April 30, 2023, when Bundrick met 42-year-old Mario Paullan and his friend on the street. Prosecutors said she initially offered to sell them soap, then offered sex for money and took them to an apartment she had broken into. After the men took the drugs, Paullan’s friend woke the following morning and found him dead, with belongings missing.
Months later, Bundrick met 39-year-old Miguel Navez and gave him drugs at his apartment, according to authorities. His brother found him three days later, and prosecutors said his possessions had also been taken. The third fatal incident involved 34-year-old Abrihan Fernandez, who died in his apartment on February 25, 2024.
Investigative details and official response
Authorities said Bundrick was seen entering and leaving Fernandez’s Upper Manhattan apartment several times while carrying large bags. Investigators connected the apartment activity and the missing property to the broader pattern described in the case.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the defendant knowingly supplied fentanyl-laced drugs and robbed victims as they lay unconscious. He characterized the conduct as showing a serious disregard for the victims’ lives.
“The defendant knowingly killed three people by providing them fentanyl-laced drugs. As they lay unconscious, she robbed her victims and left them to die.”
What happens next in the case
Bundrick remains subject to the court process until sentencing. The October 6 hearing will determine the formal punishment for the three murder convictions and the assault conviction under the plea agreement.
The case also highlights the danger of illicit fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that can cause fatal overdoses in small amounts. Prosecutors said the victims’ bodies were found by friends or family members in several instances, after the alleged robberies had taken place.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bundrick pleaded guilty to three second-degree murder counts and one second-degree assault count. |
| 2 | Prosecutors said four men received fentanyl-laced drugs during the robbery scheme. |
| 3 | Three victims, including Mario Paullan, Miguel Navez and Abrihan Fernandez, died. |
| 4 | The alleged thefts included phones, sneakers, money, watches and other belongings. |
| 5 | Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, with an expected term of 27 years to life. |
Summary
The guilty plea establishes Bundrick’s criminal responsibility for a series of fentanyl-related attacks in Manhattan that killed three men and injured or endangered a fourth. The court will determine the final sentence in October, while the prosecution’s account describes a pattern in which drugs were used to incapacitate victims before their property was taken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tabitha Bundrick?
Tabitha Bundrick is a 39-year-old woman who pleaded guilty in Manhattan to three second-degree murder counts and one second-degree assault count.
How many people died?
Three men died after prosecutors said Bundrick gave them fentanyl-laced drugs. A fourth man received the drugs and survived, according to the case details.
When is sentencing scheduled?
Bundrick is scheduled to be sentenced on October 6. Prosecutors expect a sentence of 27 years to life.
