NEW YORK (WABC) — A 48-year-old woman from New York has been charged with murder after authorities allege she killed the superintendent of her apartment building, 55-year-old Jose Portillo, during an attempt to collect overdue rent.
Sandra Navarro faces charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the violent death of Portillo, who worked as the superintendent at a Kew Gardens Hills apartment building in Queens.
Investigators believe Portillo was struck on the head and fatally stabbed in the neck and leg. His body was discovered hidden in garbage bags under a bed on Wednesday. According to the medical examiner, Portillo’s death was ruled as a result of homicidal violence.
Navarro and her husband had reportedly failed to pay rent for several years, accumulating a debt of approximately $24,000. Navarro’s husband assisted authorities by revealing the location of Portillo’s body. While Navarro’s husband is not facing charges, surveillance footage confirmed he was at work throughout the day, returning home just 20 minutes before police arrived.
Portillo, who had worked his way up from gardener to superintendent, was described by neighbors as a kind and dependable individual, always stopping to engage with others.