A 19-year-old man has been accused of giving a college student fentanyl before raping her while she was unconscious. Annabel Richter later died in hospital, with her family remembering her as a "bright and beautiful young woman."
Allegations of Drugging and Assault
Moises Freire is accused of giving Annabel and her roommate fentanyl disguised as cocaine inside a Manhattan dorm room earlier this year. Prosecutors allege Freire then raped Annabel while she was unconscious and sent semi-naked pictures of the two women to his friends. He allegedly waited around 45 minutes before calling campus security for help.
Court papers claim Freire had tried the fentanyl a week earlier and described it as "poison" in a message to a friend. He later allegedly told the two women that he was bringing them cocaine from Mexico. Prosecutors said Freire told campus security the women had drunk too much and claimed he had not realised Annabel was unconscious until after having sex with her.
Prosecutor Questions Account
Prosecutor Ariana Bloom questioned that account during a court hearing in April. She said: "It is truly hard to believe that the defendant, who seemed entirely coherent and sober at the time, who didn't have any of the substance, who is captured on the security guard's body-worn camera seeming coherent and sober, didn't know what was going on when he was having sex with the victim who was completely unconscious."
Campus security determined the women were suffering from acute fentanyl intoxication, according to prosecutors. They were given emergency treatment and Narcan before being rushed to hospital. Annabel never regained consciousness and died three days later on March 21, according to the indictment.
Family's Tribute and Legal Proceedings
Her mother, Flavia Rocha, has since spoken about her daughter and how much she meant to her family. She said: "She knew loads about music and art and had a contagious laughter. Her presence filled the room. For us, her family and her friends, she was and always will be, our beloved Bel."
She added: "I don't want to think of a world in which crimes against women would be too many to count. Bel and I would often discuss how women who suffered violence would rarely have a voice. I hope that Annabel's story brings awareness and meets justice."
Freire is being held without bail and is due back in court on October 28 to be arraigned on upgraded charges, including distributing a controlled substance with the intent to commit rape. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life if convicted, with a trial due in March 2027. His lawyer previously told the court that Freire had a consensual "sexual relationship" with Annabel in the year before her death.
Two other men have also faced charges linked to the drugs. Brian Peralta Cabrerra, 18, has been charged with narcotics conspiracy for allegedly helping Freire obtain the fentanyl, while Harry Rosales Pino has pleaded guilty to narcotics distribution resulting in death.
