New York — 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, is charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the death of José Portillo, 55.
The case was brought to light on Tuesday when the landlord of an apartment on 70th Avenue in Kew Gardens Hills saw surveillance footage showing Portillo entering the unit but not exiting.
According to the New York Post, the landlord then called 911, citing sources familiar with the investigation.
Police discovered Portillo’s body in bags beneath the bed in the unit. He had reportedly been struck in the head and stabbed in the neck and leg.
Portillo’s wife arrived at a police station on Thursday as officers escorted Navarro out.
“You killed my husband!” the victim’s wife yelled at Navarro in Spanish, according to New York Metro.
The alleged murder occurred after Portillo went to the suspect’s apartment to collect $24,000 in unpaid rent, according to local ABC affiliate WABC.
The suspect’s husband, who was reportedly not home at the time, is not charged.
A neighbor said she had heard about a rent dispute.
“The guy was looking to collect rent from someone that night and asking about them,” a neighbor told 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 by the death of the man they had known as the super for decades.
“He has children,” one person told the Post. “He’s divorced. He was always willing to assist those in need with their problems. “He was a good man.”