Kenwood Allen, 33, who has allegedly engaged in a campaign of drugging and robbery throughout New York City, has been charged in the murder of fashion designer Katie Gallagher, the Manhattan district attorney’s office announced on Wednesday.
Gallagher, who died at 35, was discovered lifeless (with no signs of trauma) in her bed last July by a neighbor. Her apartment’s front door had been left open with the keys still in the lock. Her death was a mystery until a medical examiner found that “acute intoxication” from a fatal drug cocktail was the culprit.
Wednesday’s indictment accuses Allen of three murders in addition to two other killings he was already indicted for last year. Allen is alleged to have committed a spree of robberies either solo or as part of a team between March and December 2022 in which he drugged victims with fentanyl or other opioids to steal their valuables. He allegedly would then drain their accounts at ATMs and rack up credit card charges, according to the indictment.
“These alleged pernicious drugging and robbery schemes have left far too many families mourning the loss of their loved ones,” district attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
Allen and the rest of his crew allegedly attacked at least 26 victims. Allen was involved in about 21 of those, including the five fatal attacks, Bragg added. Allen also faces felony counts of attempted robbery, robbery, assault, grand larceny, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and conspiracy.
According to the New York Post the specific details of Gallagher’s death remain uncertain.
According to her obituary, Gallagher had planned to show her 27th collection in the fall before she was murdered.
“She was unique, beautiful, smart, unabashed, and always wanting. She was hardworking and talented, with so many ideas and plans for future projects,” Gallagher’s obituary read. “We are so proud of who she was and all she achieved in her brief but full and beautiful life.”
