A woman was arrested in the death of a Queens building superintendent whose body was found in garbage bags under a bed in her apartment, and police said the suspect and her husband were two years behind on rent.
Sandra Coto Navarro was charged with murder, tampering with evidence and weapon possession Thursday, according to police, two days after the gruesome discovery was made inside the apartment on 70th Avenue between 137th Street and 141st Street in Kew Garden Hills.
Officials previously said they received a call about a body at the home, and found the body of 55-year-old Jose Portillo on the lower level of the two-story building. The body was found under a bed, stuffed into garbage bags: the upper half of the body in one bag, and the bottom half in another.
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WATCH HEREThe medical examiner will determine a cause of death for Portillo, of Queens.
Investigators said Navarro and her husband were two years behind on rent, owing more than $24,000. Portillo went into the home on Tuesday to ask for the back rent, which is when Navarro allegedly attacked him.
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SIGN UP Portillo suffered blunt force trauma to his face and head, as well as a stab wound to his neck and left leg, according to police.
Police believe Navarro acted alone. They had questioned her husband, but released him after surveillance video showed he was at work, away from the home for the whole day when they believe the super was killed.
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Attorney information for Navarro was not immediately available. As she was being led out of the police station, a woman yelled at Navarro, saying in Spanish "you killed my husband." The woman did not wish to talk to reporters.
An investigation is ongoing.
