In a major breakthrough, law enforcement authorities have apprehended two suspects believed to be connected to the brutal murder of a 52-year-old woman whose body was found hidden in a duffel bag in a New York City apartment. Halley Tejada, 19, and Kensly Alston, 18, were taken into custody in York, Pennsylvania, about 185 miles away from Manhattan, after being found driving a stolen car.

According to the U.S. Marshals, Tejada and Alston are considered persons of interest in the beating death of Nadia Vitels, whose life was tragically cut short due to blunt force trauma to the head. The New York Police Department (NYPD) disclosed that Tejada hails from Washington Heights, while Alston is from the Bronx.

Vitels' lifeless body was discovered inside a duffel bag concealed in a closet at a 19th floor apartment on 31st Street in Manhattan's Kips Bay neighborhood on March 14. Authorities believe that Tejada and Alston were squatting in the apartment when Vitels arrived, possibly to facilitate someone's move. Surveillance footage captured the two suspects stealing Vitels' car from the street outside the building before embarking on a journey that spanned from New Jersey to Pennsylvania.

Alston, reportedly driving Vitels' stolen Lexus at the time, was involved in an accident on March 13. In a bid to deceive responding officers, he allegedly provided them with a fake name. The suspects were eventually tracked down by the Joint Fugitive Task Force and taken into custody.

Family members of the suspects, interviewed by CBS New York, appeared to be largely unaware of their recent activities and whereabouts. Tejada had previously been arrested in December for vandalism, while Alston had a prior incident as a juvenile for assault.

The building's superintendent acknowledged rumors of potential squatters but expressed doubt about their veracity. The apartment where Vitels was tragically killed had been vacant for several months following the death of her mother.

Surveillance footage revealed Vitels' frequent visits to the apartment as she prepared it for occupancy, suggesting that the suspects had been squatting there. Police sources theorize that Tejada and Alston returned to the apartment after Vitels' arrival, surprising her and ultimately beating her to death.

During Vitels' funeral, her grieving son reminiscing about his mother as a caring individual dedicated to others, who had recently been embarking on new adventures. Tragically, her plans for a fresh start in New York City were abruptly halted by unknown assailants.

As the investigation continues, law enforcement authorities are piecing together the events that led to the horrific murder of Nadia Vitels, seeking justice for her untimely demise at the hands of strangers.