The painful story of Sasha Samsudean

Sasha Samsudean, born in 1988 in New York City, was a vibrant and successful individual whose life was tragically cut short. She was employed at Pearson, an educational services firm, where she held the position of managing their social media accounts. Additionally, Sasha dedicated her time and energy as a devoted volunteer with the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando, and her exceptional contributions earned her the prestigious recognition of being named Account Executive of the Year in 2012.

Sasha's infectious personality endeared her to her colleagues, who held her in high regard and found inspiration in her accomplishments. The news of her untimely demise reverberated through her community, leaving a profound impact on all who knew her.

Sasha

Sasha resided in the Uptown Place Condominiums, located in the heart of downtown Orlando. This mid-rise complex, constructed in 2002, boasted a variety of amenities to enhance residents' lifestyles. Among the offerings were a business center, a refreshing pool, attentive concierge service, and the convenience of garage parking.

Situated in a lively entertainment district, the building granted residents seamless access to the vibrant nightlife that Orlando had to offer. It was a thriving hub where Sasha could immerse herself in the city's dynamic energy and partake in the exciting experiences available within her immediate surroundings.

On the night of October 17, 2015, Sasha had a memorable time with her friends in downtown Orlando. As the night drew to a close, she made the decision to return home from the Attic Nightclub, venturing out alone in the early hours of the morning.

Due to her intoxicated state, Sasha faced challenges in finding her apartment within the Uptown Place Condominiums. Fortunately, she encountered two women along her journey home who kindly offered their assistance. Together, they accompanied Sasha back to her building, where they were greeted by Stephen Duxbury, the security guard assigned to the premises.

Sasha's interactions with Stephen Duxbury, the security guard assigned to Uptown Place Condominiums, raised concerns when the security footage was reviewed. Contrary to Duxbury's initial explanation of merely assisting Sasha at the building entrance, the footage depicted a different narrative. It revealed Duxbury following Sasha throughout the premises, engaging in suspicious behavior that contradicted his original account of the events that transpired that night.

The next day, as Sasha failed to respond to numerous attempts to reach her and missed a scheduled breakfast with her friends, a sense of worry began to mount. Their concern deepened when they stumbled upon a gift intended for a baby shower in Sasha's car. Fearing for her well-being, they promptly contacted the police to request a welfare check on her.

Upon arrival at Sasha's apartment, the responding officers were immediately greeted by a potent odor of bleach. Inside the unit, a harrowing discovery awaited them—a lifeless Sasha, partially dressed, her body enveloped by her comforter. Although no signs of forced entry were evident, the presence of compelling evidence suggested a violent struggle had taken place, shattering any semblance of tranquility.

During the investigation, forensic analysis revealed the presence of male DNA traces within Sasha's apartment. Additionally, fingerprints were uncovered beneath the lid of the toilet seat, providing evidence of a male individual's presence within her home. These findings further underscored the likelihood of an unidentified man being involved in the circumstances surrounding Sasha's tragic ordeal.

Through a thorough examination of the security footage, Duxbury's actions during the early morning hours came to light. The footage depicted him closely shadowing Sasha throughout the building for an extended duration of nearly 40 minutes. Disturbingly, Duxbury was observed utilizing his key to access multiple secured doors within the premises. At precisely 6:36 a.m., the footage captured him disposing of refuse bags that bore a striking resemblance to those discovered within Sasha's apartment.

In addition to the damning footage, a search conducted at Duxbury's residence and examination of his phone provided further incriminating evidence. It was revealed that Duxbury had sought information on bypassing a specific type of door lock, which happened to be identical to the one installed on Sasha's front door. Furthermore, the fingerprints discovered on the toilet seat rim and Sasha's nightstand were a definitive match to Duxbury's. To solidify the connection, the DNA discovered on Sasha's body was conclusively identified as belonging to Duxbury.

These compelling findings painted a chilling portrait of Duxbury's involvement and raised serious suspicions about his role in Sasha's untimely demise.

On October 30, 2015, Stephen Duxbury was taken into custody by law enforcement officials and formally charged with first-degree murder, attempted sexual battery, and burglary. The arrest marked a significant development in the investigation, providing a legal basis to hold Duxbury accountable for his alleged involvement in these heinous crimes against Sasha.

After a six-day trial, Stephen Duxbury was found guilty of all charges on November 21, 2017. For the murder of Sasha Samsudean, he was given two life sentences with no chance of parole. He was also sentenced to an additional 15 years for the burglary. This meant that Duxbury would spend the rest of his life in prison for what he had done to Sasha. The verdict provided some justice for her and her loved ones.

Read next: THE WEIRD STORY OF DINA SANICHAR, THE BOY RAISED BY WOLVES