Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
Phenazepam pills recovered by federal agents.
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Wednesday that Viktoria Nasyrova has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for poisoning a woman who resembled her with sedative-laced cheesecake and then stealing her identification and other property.
Nasyrova, 47, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was convicted in February of attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree and petit larceny. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder sentenced Nasyrova to 21 years in prison to be followed by five years’ post-release supervision.
According to the evidence, on Aug. 28, 2016, Nasyrova visited the Forest Hills home of Olga Tsvyk, then 35, and brought her cheesecake. At that time, the victim and Nasyrova resembled one another—both had dark hair, the same complexion and other similar physical traits. Additionally, they were both Russian speakers.
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
Evidence discovered inside the residence of victim Olga Tsvyk.
After eating the cheesecake, Tsvyk felt sick and passed out. Her last memory was of seeing Nasyrova walking around her room. The following day, Tsvyk was discovered unconscious in her bed with pills scattered around her body—as if she had attempted to kill herself. She was taken to a hospital for treatment.
When Tsvyk returned home, she realized that her passport and employment authorization card were missing, along with a gold ring and other valuables. Agents with the Department of Homeland Security discovered phenazepam, a highly potent sedative, in cheesecake residue found on the dessert container. The Drug Enforcement Administration tested the pills found on the floor near the victim and identified the same drug.
“A ruthless and calculating con artist is going to prison for a long time for trying to murder her way to personal profit and gain,” Katz said. “Thankfully, the victim survived the attack on her life and we were able to deliver justice to her.”
