Homeless Man Murders Homeless Woman In New Rochelle

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A homeless man who admitted murdering a homeless woman in 2018 will be going to prison. Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. said Jose Olmos, 29, of New Rochelle was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of Nurten Seljuk, 66.

Olmos pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder, a felony.

In court, Seljuk's two sisters told the story of her life and the impact her death had on them.

They described a well-educated woman who fell on hard times through illness and divorce even as the family tried to help.

"I can't stand the idea of her being remembered as a homeless lady left in the garbage," Dervishe C. Bolvadin said in court, according to a county spokeswoman. "She was a treasure, an unappreciated treasure. She deserved the best that life had to offer. Not this."

A statement from her other sister, Fay Mirillo, was read in court by Assistant District Attorney Christine O'Connor.

"God forgive Jose Olmos for taking her life because I certainly cannot," the statement said. "I will remember Nurten for being both a sister and mom to me during my childhood … and I will try to fill the hole in my heart by nourishing the love we had for each other."

Authorities said, in the early morning hours of Friday, July 27, Olmos stalked Seluk as she pulled a piece of luggage along Main Street in New Rochelle to the abandoned armory building.

Police said they were able to trace his steps by reviewing surveillance videos.

Sometime between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., Olmos killed Seljuk in the vicinity of 270 Main St.

She died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries and asphyxiation.

Her body was found later that morning in the driveway on the armory grounds.

Olmos was arrested Saturday, July 28. Neither he nor Seljuk had permanent addresses.

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