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Russian stylist gets 21 years for poisoning dead ringer with cheesecake in NYC

One of the slices of cheesecake that Nasyrova offered Tsvyk was laced with the Russian tranquilizer Phenazepan, a powerful sedative

Cheesecake
Cheesecake | Shutterstock

April 21, 2023 9:06am

Updated: April 21, 2023 9:22am

A New York woman was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Wednesday for trying to kill her doppelganger by feeding her a piece of poisoned cheesecake and then trying to steal her identity. 

Viktoria Nasyova, 47, from Brooklyn was convicted of trying to murder Olga Tsvyk, a 35-year-old eyelash stylish. The two women had almost identical physical traits and complexion, in addition to both speaking Russian. 

On August 28, 2016, Nasyrova went to Tsvyk’s home claiming she needed an emergency touch-up appointment, bringing a cheesecake with her. 

"She told me, ‘I’m right now in Brooklyn. I want to bring you some famous cheesecake from a famous bakery.’ I told her, Viktoria, that’s not needed, just come over,'" Tsvyk said during the trial.

One of the slices of cheesecake that Nasyrova offered Tsvyk was laced with the Russian tranquilizer Phenazepan, a powerful sedative. Tsvyk began to feel ill about 20 minutes after eating the cake and passed out.

The next day, Tsvyk was found unconscious in her bed in lacy lingerie and surrounded by pills, as if she had tried to kill herself. After returning from the hospital, she also noticed that her passport and employment authorization card were missing, as well as jewelry and cash. 

 "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," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "Thankfully, the victim survived the attack on her life and we were able to deliver justice to her."

Nasyova was convicted in February for second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, and petit larceny, reported Fox News.  

On Wednesday, Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth C. Holder sentenced her to 21 years in prison.