New York Woman Charged in Bitcoin-Funded Gruesome Murder Plot

A former spa worker from New York faces charges related to an alleged murder-for-bitcoin plot involving threats to dismember a victim and solicit a neighbor's help in disposing of a body.

Prosecutors claim Yue Zhou attempted to hire a hitman via the dark web in 2019 to kill her lover’s spouse, allegedly paying $5,000 in Bitcoin for the service.

According to court documents, Zhou provided detailed schedules of her lover and their spouse to ensure the murder occurred at an opportune time. She also allegedly planned to have her lover’s daughter killed, sending threatening messages warning of violence and claiming surveillance.

As suspicions arose about the hitman website’s legitimacy, Zhou reportedly threatened the administrator with physical harm.

Additionally, she allegedly offered $10,000 and sexual favors to a neighbor of the daughter in exchange for carrying out the murder and disposing of the body in a lake, expressing a strong desire to eliminate the victim from her life.

The prosecution’s letter for pretrial detention also cites Zhou’s employment history, noting connections to spas involved in illicit activities. Zhou pleaded not guilty on July 8, and the judge approved pretrial detention pending further legal proceedings.