NEED TO KNOW
Annabel Richter, 21, moved from Brazil to New York City to pursue her fashion dreams before she was fatally drugged and raped on her college campus, according to prosecutors
Two men, ages 18 and 19, have since been charged in connection with the fentanyl poisoning of Richter and her roommate, who survived after receiving lifesaving treatment
The 19-year-old is also charged with distribution of a controlled substance with the intent to commit rape
A 21-year-old college student moved from Brazil to New York City to pursue her fashion dreams before she was drugged and raped on campus, ultimately leading to her death, according to prosecutors.
The Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced on Oct. 15 that two men — 19-year-old Moises Freire and 18-year-old Brian Peralta Cabrera — have been charged in connection with the fentanyl poisoning of two college students, including one who prosecutors say was raped while unconscious and later died in March.
The victim who died from complications of acute fentanyl intoxication has been identified as Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) student Annabel Richter, according to ABC 7 Eyewitness News and The New York Post.
“She struck me as very sweet and kind,” Christina Perez, a friend of Richter’s grandmother, told The New York Post. “She was very bright.”
Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City
Credit: CNMages/Alamy Stock Photo
“She wanted to go to New York,” she continued. “The idea worried me a bit because she didn’t have anyone there — her family was still in Brazil.”
Following Richter’s death in March, her family traveled to Oregon for her memorial service. Perez said that her grandmother, Virginia “Gini” Richter, was “suffering a great deal” while grieving the death of her granddaughter.
“I can only imagine what it’s like for her parents,” Perez said. “It’s a terrible situation. Very, very sad.”
On March 18, Freire allegedly “encouraged” Richter and her roommate to ingest fentanyl falsely presented as cocaine in their Manhattan college dorm room, despite previously describing the substance as “fake” and “poison,” according to the superseding indictment obtained by PEOPLE.
After both women lost consciousness “almost immediately,” Freire allegedly raped one of them while she was incapacitated by fentanyl, according to the indictment. The other woman lay unconscious just feet away.
Prosecutors allege Freire waited approximately 45 minutes to seek help, sending photos of the women to others during that time. He then allegedly told campus security that the women had simply consumed too much alcohol, per the indictment.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
While Richter died three days after the incident, the second woman survived after receiving lifesaving treatment.
“College should be a place where young people can learn, grow, and pursue their dreams, not a place where predators exploit their vulnerability,” DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts said in a press release. “Every student deserves to feel safe, whether walking across campus, sitting in a classroom, or inside their own dorm room.”
Both Freire and Cabrera were charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.
Freire is also charged with distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury, as well as distribution of a controlled substance with the intent to commit rape, prosecutors said.
According to the Associated Press, the men previously pleaded not guilty to charges that did not include the rape allegation.
“The updated charges reflect what a horrific tragedy this was, but also brings with it accountability and justice for those involved,” FIT President Jason Schupbach said in a statement. “We are working with our faculty, staff, and student leaders to schedule discussions to provide information and support, and opportunities for our community to come together and heal.”
Read the original article on People