THE convicted 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er known as the Baby-Faced Butcher looked unrecognizable as she was spotted pumping gas after being featured in a Netflix documentary.
Daphne Abdela showed off her many tattoos while filling up her car at a Speedway gas station in the Bronx, New York.
Daphne Abdela looks unrecognizable as she was spotted pumping gas in New York CityCredit: News Enterprises Inc
As a teen, Abdela was charged with murdering real estate worker Michael McMorrow in 1997, serving six years in prisonCredit: AP:Associated Press
Abdela and her friend brutally stabbed McMorrow, leaving him for dead in Central ParkCredit: Netflix
Since being released in 2004, Abdela has cut her hair short and gotten several tattoosCredit: News Enterprises Inc
She now lives in the Bronx, New York, on a quiet street in City IslandCredit: News Enterprises Inc
In 1998, Abdela’s friend, Christopher Vasquez was convicted of manslaughter in McMorrow’s deathCredit: AP:Associated Press
Exclusive photos from The U.S. Sun show the 41-year-old wearing sunglasses, shielding her eyes as she sported a t-shirt for the band Guns N’ Roses and black shorts.
The outfit showed off several of her tattoos, covering both her arms and legs.
Abdela’s once short bob was cut into a pixie cut.
Her current look is a far cry from when she was accused of murdering and disemboweling 44-year-old real estate worker Michael McMorrow.
At the time, prosecutors believe a then 15-year-old Abdela attacked McMorrow with her friend, Christopher Vasquez after a night of drinking.
The teens left McMorrow in Central Park with fatal injuries to his face, hands, and neck.
His body was discovered filled with rocks and pushed into a pond in the Strawberry Fields section of the park.
Abdela was quick to blame Vasquez after the murder, said former New York Police Department detectives in the Netflix docuseries Homicide: New York.
However, evidence showed that she was involved in the 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ing, leading to Abdela pleading guilty to manslaughter as part of a deal.
She was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison, serving six years before her release in 2004.
Abdela has kept quiet since her sentencing, leading many to wonder what her life looks like now.
The U.S. Sun previously snapped Abdela using the cane while walking outside of a Starbucks.
Absent from these photos is the cane Abdela uses to get around.
Abdela was in a car accident in 2009 that supposedly left her “rendered sick, sore, lame, and disabled, experiencing mental anguish and great pain and suffering,” per the New York Post.
She sued two drivers after the accident and court records obtained by The U.S. Sun show that the case was closed, however, it’s unclear how it was resolved.
Neighbors were able to confirm Abdela’s identity in the photos to The U.S. Sun.
ISLAND GIRL
Abdela lives a quiet life in City Island, a neighborhood in the northeastern Bronx.
The 1.5-mile island has a population of 4,417, according to the 2020 Census.
She lives in a two-story single-family home on the island famous for its seafood restaurants and harbor access.
The home is located about 13 miles northeast of the crime scene in Central Park which changed Abdela’s life forever.
The island is a hotspot for Bronx natives to enjoy barhopping and swimming in the summertime.
However, there is a close-knit group of families that have lived on the island for generations.
Neighbors told The U.S. Sun that they were aware of Abdela’s criminal past, saying that she didn’t get out much.
Another neighbor said he’s never seen her walking in front of his home despite living on the other side of the block.
The U.S. Sun confirmed that Abdela owns dogs and hires a dog walker to help take care of them.
SHOCKING MURDER
Abdela made headlines in 1997 for the gruesome crime as she was the daughter of Angelo Abdela, the vice president of a major food company.
The young heiress enjoyed a life of privilege, growing up in New York City’s lavish Upper West Side neighborhood.
She attended the elite private school Columbia Grammar and Preparatory and spent time with other 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren from affluent families in the area.
However, witnesses say the girl was brash and unmanageable, preferring to drink and get into fights, according to The New York Times.
“She was just a bada**,” said author Stella Sands, who wrote about McMorrow’s murder.
“She was difficult. She was tough-looking and would hang out on our street,” she told The U.S. Sun.
“She was not your sweet lovely little blonde girl.”
Abdela met with Vasquez on the night of McMorrow’s murder, only meeting the other teen just a few weeks prior.
The two would meet up after school and roller skate in the park, said witnesses.
At some point, they saw McMorrow, who would go drinking with Abdela after meeting at Alcoholics Anonymous.
The three of them grabbed drinks but the night took a chilling turn when Abdella called 911 in the early hours of May 23.
McMorrow’s body had 38 stab wounds, including six to the heart, and his intestines were found floating in the water, said detectives.
Detectives found Abdela and Vasquez in a bathroom washing off blood.
Abdela cursed at the officers, telling them to leave, but later admitted to her role in McMorrow’s murder.
She claimed that the middle-aged McMorrow had tried to kiss and grope her as she and Vasquez went skinny dipping.
Vasquez grabbed his pocket knife and lunged at McMorrow as Abdela watched in horror, she told police at the time.
However, she later changed her story while speaking to prosecutors and the district attorney.
Bruises were found on McMorrow’s body matching the bottom of Abdela’s roller skates, which had blood on them.
She was difficult. She was tough-looking and would hang out on our street.
Stella SandEx-Neighbor Of Abdela And Author Of Baby-Faced Butchers
Detectives believe that Abdela helped Vasquez 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 McMorrow and dragged him into the pond.
The evidence was presented to Abdela’s high-profile attorney Benjamine Brafman, who has represented the likes of Sean Combs.
She was able to secure a plea deal, meanwhile, Vasquez was found guilty of manslaughter in 1998, however, many on the jury believe that Abdela was the true 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁er.
Abdella never faced trial, leaving many questions on what happened that night – such as the motive for the murder.
Both teens served six years before being released from prison and they’ve maintained a clean record ever since.
When she was released, a note was found taped to a park bench near where McMorrow’s body was found, reported the New York Post at the time.
“Rest easy. I tried to save you,” read the note, signed by “D.”
“I’m sorry I failed you. I’m sorry for the pain I caused you & your family.”
Abdela was recently seen walking out of Starbucks with a caneCredit: Dario Alequin – Commissioned by The US Sun Digital edition
She was in a car accident in 2009 that allegedly left her disabled, according to a lawsuitCredit: Dario Alequin – Commissioned by The US Sun Digital edition
Abdela accepted a plea deal, avoiding trialCredit: Getty
