A woman charged with the murder of a heavily pregnant friend in the Bronx on the weekend was herself pretending to be pregnant.
The New York Times says Ashley Wade registered herself as a mum-to-be on several websites, seeking gifts from friends as she awaited the arrival of her newborn.
But there is no evidence that Ashley was ever pregnant.
Police say Ashley murdered her nine-month pregnant friend and cut the baby from her womb about a week after her fake due date came and went, with no baby being delivered.
The Times says Ashley was registered at Babies “R” Us.
Items on her gift list included a nappy bag, bibs and bottles.
Her boyfriend, Angel Praylow, posted ultrasound images on the page, saying he “couldn’t wait” to meet his daughter.
It’s not clear whether he knew the pregnancy was fake.
Ashley has been charged with murder, criminal possession of a weapon and committing an “abortional act”.
Police say she stabbed her old friend, Angelique Sutton, in the neck, and cut the baby from her womb. The child survived.
