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Teens' Brutal Murder: Where Are They Now?
23 May
Summary
- Teenagers stabbed victim over 30 times in Central Park.
- They were arrested, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and released.
- Both Abdela and Vasquez maintain low profiles post-release.
In May 1997, New York City teens Daphne Abdela, 15, and Christopher Vasquez, also 15, committed a brutal murder in Central Park. They encountered Michael McMorrow, a 44-year-old real estate agent, and subsequently stabbed him over 30 times. The teenagers, who had recently started dating, overpowered McMorrow and attempted to conceal his identity by dismembering his body.
Authorities found McMorrow's body hours later, leading to the arrest of Abdela and Vasquez. Following their arrest, they initially pleaded not guilty. However, Abdela later pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, and Vasquez was convicted of the same offense. Both received prison sentences.
Abdela and Vasquez were released from prison in January 2007, having served six years of their sentences. They were reportedly prohibited from seeing each other. While Abdela reportedly left an apology note at the crime scene, she later violated her parole and served a full nine-year term.
Since their release, both Abdela and Vasquez have lived private lives in New York City. Vasquez, who completed an alcohol-abuse program and earned his diploma in prison, has not faced further legal issues. Abdela was reportedly involved in a car accident in 2009. Both have expressed a desire to leave their past behind.
