Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of ALON RIABICHEV, 45, for allegedly fatally stabbing his 80-year-old neighbor in his Washington Heights apartment building in November 2025. RIABICHEV is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Murder in the Second Degree. [1] 

“As alleged, Alon Riabichev brutally murdered Lev Vayner, an 80-year-old neighbor who opened his home to Mr. Riabichev when he didn’t have secure housing,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Mr. Riabichev allegedly took advantage of his hospitality in the most brutal way and repeatedly, fatally stabbed him. This ruthless murder is beyond devastating, and my thoughts are with Mr. Vayner’s loved ones as they continue to mourn his painful loss.” 

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, RIABICHEV used to live with his mother in an apartment building on Overlook Terrace in Washington Heights. After she kicked him out, he was sleeping in the hallways of the building. 

Lev Vayner, an 80-year-old man with health problems, lived in the building with his daughter. Mr. Vayner invited RIABICHEV to sleep in his apartment and use it for showers, since he didn’t have a place to live. 

As further alleged, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on November 23, 2025, RIABICHEV went to a nearby store and purchased a wide, 8-inch knife. He then went back to Mr. Vayner’s apartment. At approximately 3:15 a.m. the following morning, RIABICHEV called 911. 

Officers arrived a few minutes later and found RIABICHEV sitting on Mr. Vayner’s bed in the living room. Mr. Vayner was found dead on the floor near the dining table with multiple stab wounds to his torso and neck. The knife that RIABICHEV allegedly bought the night prior was on the table, covered in what appeared to be blood. 

Assistant D.A. Dafna Yoran (Senior Trial Counsel in Trial Bureau 70) and Assistant District Attorney Meral Kerim (Trial Bureau 70) are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Sergeant Jonathan Carter of the 34th Precinct, Detective Nicholas Kane of Manhattan Night Watch, and Officer Kevin Balsam of the 34th Precinct Detective Squad. 

 

Defendant Information: 

ALON RIABICHEV 

New York, NY 

Charged: 

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, one count 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.