Christina Yuna Lee lost her life at the hands of Assamad Nash, 27, in a murderous burglary. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Tuesday, July 30, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr.’s news release.
Nash’s sentencing comes more than two years after he brutally stabbed Christina Yuna Lee to death in her apartment. Now, her family is suing New York City for the less-than-satisfying response of the police.
What Happened to Christina Yuna Lee?
Christina Yuna Lee was killed by Assamad Nash, 27, early in the morning of February 13, 2022. Her demise came after he followed her up to her six-floor walk-up apartment. As she entered her apartment around 4:20 a.m., Nash ran and pushed her inside. Then, he attempted to sexually assault her.
Inside the apartment, Yuna Lee yelled for help, which pushed her neighbors to call 911 at 4:22 a.m. Minutes later, authorities arrived, but they did not immediately break down the door until 5:40 a.m. Authorities later found her stabbed to death with Nash hiding under a mattress. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Nash, who pleaded guilty in June to murder and burglary charges, confessed to stalking the 35-year-old woman before following her into her Chinatown apartment, where he reportedly stabbed her at least 40 times.
After the sentencing, the judge noted the defendant was a danger to society and had serious mental health issues. Bragg wrote in a press release, “Christina Yuna Lee was killed in an unthinkably horrific manner in her own apartment at the hands of Assamad Nash.”
“Ms. Yuna Lee was a creative, kind, and joyful person, and her death not only devastated her family but left a lasting impact on an entire community,” Bragg continued. “I hope the resolution of this case offers comfort and a sense of justice for everyone that has been touched by Ms. Yuna Lee’s life and this tragedy. May her legacy be celebrated for years to come.”
Christina Yuna Lee’s Family Still Reeling From Her Demise
It has been over two years since Christina Yuna Lee died. However, during the sentencing, the victim’s father, Sungkon Lee, still wanted to know, with tears in his eyes, “Why did God do such terrible things to our family?”
Her mother was absent at the sentencing. According to Yuna Lee’s aunt, Boksun Lee, the victim’s mother is still struggling and gaunt from the suffering of the loss of her daughter. After the sentencing, Sungkon urged lawmakers to name a new homeless shelter in her honor.
“We want Christina’s memory to be remembered and to prevent others having a similar fate,” he said. “By having her name on the shelter, it will reinforce to people what happened and that it was perpetrated by someone who was homeless,” the family’s attorney, Charles Yoon, said.
“We want to honor her and memorialize her so that it doesn’t happen again,” Yoon added.
The Lawsuit Against New York City
During the sentencing, Sungkon also spoke against the NYPD, accusing the agency of failing to save his daughter. He said, “The police did not gain entrance into the scene of the crime until 1 hour and 20 minutes had passed since arriving at the scene.”
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Sungkon added, “The decisive cause of Christina’s death occurred at the scene of the incident. We believe that there was an inadequate response by the police who arrived. The first mission of NYC and its police is to protect the safety of its citizens.”
Sungkon has filed a still-pending lawsuit against the department. He noted on Tuesday that although the Lee family is “pursuing a lawsuit against New York City,” what the family “really wants is not compensation; what they want is for “Christina’s memory to be remembered and to prevent others from having a similar fate.”
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