New york city medical examiner on scene.
New York City Medical Examiner on scene.

Stabbing suspect charged with murder of 80-year-old NYC man inside Washington Heights apartment

Posted by
1 min read
November 24, 2025

NEW YORK, NY – A 45-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after police say an 80-year-old man was found stabbed to death early Monday morning inside an apartment on Overlook Terrace in Washington Heights.

Police identified the suspect as Alon Riabichev, of 37 Overlook Terrace, where the incident occurred.

Officers responding to a 911 call around 3:15 a.m. discovered the victim, identified as Lev Vayner, with stab wounds to the neck and abdomen.

Emergency Medical Services pronounced Vayner dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause of death.


Key Points

  • Police arrested Alon Riabichev, 45, in connection with a fatal stabbing in Washington Heights.
  • The victim, 80-year-old Lev Vayner, was found dead inside 37 Overlook Terrace.
  • Riabichev faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Investigation continues in 34th Precinct

According to police, Riabichev was taken into custody at 8:46 a.m. Monday following an investigation by detectives in the 34th Precinct. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive or relationship between the suspect and the victim.

Neighbors reported a heavy police presence outside the building through the early morning hours as investigators canvassed the scene and collected evidence.

Detectives remain on-site as the investigation continues, and charges against Riabichev are pending arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version