A 31-year-old male who New York prosecutors say is responsible for the death of a New York City nurse has been formally arraigned for her death.

 The accused, Danueal Drayton, 31, was arraigned Friday in Queens Supreme Court, after spending four years in custody in Los Angeles for an unrelated crime.

According to reports issued by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Drayton’s 18-count indictment includes charges of murder, sexual misconduct, identity theft and grand larceny, among other crimes in connection with the strangulation death of 29-year-old Samantha Stewart back in 2018.

Prosecutors also outlined that Drayton who had a lengthy criminal history prior to Stewart’s murder, which included jail time for strangulation and harassment in his home state of Connecticut, fled to California shortly after her death.

Reports indicate that Drayton allegedly stole the victim’s credit cards and used one to purchase a flight to Los Angeles.

Further reports also outlined that the two met on the dating app Tinder in 2018 and after a brief encounter went on a in July of that same year.

However, what was supposed to be a romantic occasion, transformed into a blood thirsty horror as prosecutors allege that Drayton beat and strangled the victim and then engaged in sexual conduct with the deceased’s body.

Following this, Stewart’s brother found her naked body wrapped in a blanket in the corner of her bedroom the following day with what appeared to be missing teeth.

Meanwhile, Queen’s District Attorney Melinda Katz outlined that justice should prevail in order to provide the victim’s family with solace.

“This family deserves justice; this was a brutal crime that makes every person using a dating app fearful. The victim was duped into going out on a date with the defendant, who played a charmer online but was in fact an alleged sexual predator.” Katz argued.

“The defendant is accused of brutally beating and then killing this innocent woman in her own home. After this heinous act of violence, the defendant fled the state to escape prosecution. Now back in our custody, this defendant will be held to account for his alleged actions.” Katz added.

As it now stands, Drayton is scheduled to appear back in court on May 23.

If convicted, Drayton could face the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.