28-year-old Alex Scott, a transgender woman, has been imprisoned since January 2020 for the brutal murder of 64-year-old Kenneth Sininsky, a New York City antique dealer. However, this case took a series of shocking turns, revealing a sinister pattern of violence and deception.
Scott, who met Sininsky on a dating app, allegedly lured him to his death under the pretense of a romantic encounter. Prosecutors argue that Scott intended to rob and murder Sininsky from the outset. She stabbed him multiple times in the face and neck, severing an artery, and then strangled him to death.
After the murder, Scott stole Sininsky’s valuables, including his watch, credit cards, and cash. Surveillance footage showed her wearing the victim’s jacket and counting stolen cash shortly after leaving his apartment. Scott then used the stolen credit cards to buy food, clothing, and cab rides.
Days later, Scott walked into an NYPD precinct with Sininsky’s credit cards and ID, claiming to have no memory of the past few days but fearing she may have killed someone. She attributed her memory loss to excessive drinking. While confessing to the possibility of murder, she recalled specific details from the day, like buying food and interacting with others.
The investigation revealed a prior warrant for Scott’s arrest in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the molestation of a five-year-old boy in 2018. Scott had fled to New York City following the accusations, eventually being apprehended in East Hampton on the outstanding warrant. After pleading not guilty in Tulsa, she spent eight months in jail before posting bail and being released with an ankle monitor.
However, Scott violated the terms of her release, missed court-ordered check-ins, and another warrant was issued. Just eight days later, Sininsky was found dead.
The most shocking twist emerged during Scott’s court appearance for Sininsky’s murder. She confessed to another gruesome murder in Oklahoma, admitting to decapitating a man with a chainsaw. The details surfaced as she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and multiple counts of criminal possession in Sininsky’s death.
During her confession, Scott revealed she had lived with the victim in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Authorities identified him as 63-year-old Robin Scott Depole. A search of his residence revealed a vacant house with evidence of foul play. Forensic teams and cadaver dogs discovered bloodstains and a large pool of blood that DNA analysis linked to Depole.
Months later, human remains matching Depole were discovered near a creek. The medical examiner determined that two saws, including a chainsaw, were used in dismembering his body. Data from Scott’s ankle monitor revealed she had purchased and returned a chainsaw to a local retailer. Additionally, the data placed her at the location where Depole’s remains were found, further solidifying her involvement.
Scott, as part of her plea deal, agreed to lead the FBI to the location of Depole’s head. However, the search yielded no results.
The case raises questions about the adequacy of the justice system and the potential warning signs missed. Scott’s ability to repeatedly evade authorities despite being on bail and later an ankle monitor highlights systemic flaws. Her escalating pattern of violence, from molestation to murder and dismemberment, underscores the severity of her crimes and the potential danger she posed.
Retired NYPD Detective Sergeant Dan Murphy, in an interview, found the repeated use of stolen credit cards as a significant clue, suggesting a pattern of leaving a trail. He also noted that while criminals confessing to the police is uncommon, it can happen for various reasons, including a guilty conscience or a desire to alleviate the burden of their actions.
Murphy believes that further investigation into Scott’s past might unearth additional crimes. He speculates that her crimes were premeditated, citing the purchase of the chainsaw and the calculated disposal of Depole’s body. The nature of her crimes, particularly the dismemberment, suggests a deeper psychological disturbance and a possible fascination with violence and control.
Under the plea agreement, Scott faces 22 years to life for Sininsky’s murder. If released, she will serve a 45-year sentence in Oklahoma for Depole’s murder.
The case serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for darkness that can lurk beneath the surface, and the importance of vigilance and a robust criminal justice system.
