John Jefferson
Sandra Coto Navarro is escorted by police after being arrested for murder, Jan. 16, 2024 (WABC).
A New York woman was arrested after the body of her apartment superintendent was found in a garbage bag under a bed in her apartment after the victim had gone to collect tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid rent.
Sandra Coto Navarro, 48, faces charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Jose Portillo, 55.
The case came to light on Tuesday when the landlord at an apartment on 70th Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills saw surveillance video showing Portillo going into the unit but not coming out. The landlord then called 911, the New York Post reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation.
Police found Portillo’s body in bags under the bed in the unit. He had reportedly been hit over the head and stabbed in the neck and leg.
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Portillo’s wife showed up at a police station on Thursday as police were escorting Navarro out.
“You killed my husband!” the victim’s wife yelled at Navarro in Spanish, amNewYork Metro reported.
The alleged murder happened after Portillo had gone to the suspect’s apartment to collect $24,000 in back rent, local ABC affiliate WABC reported. The suspect’s husband, reportedly not home at the time, does not face charges.
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A neighbor said she heard something about a rent dispute.
“The guy was looking to collect rent from someone that night and asking about them,” the neighbor said, according to the Post. “I’m not sure if it was for the suspect or someone else, but he was looking out for someone.”
Neighbors were shocked over the death of the man they knew as the super for decades.
“He has children,” one told the Post. “He is divorced. He was always willing to help people in need with any problems. He was a good man.”
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