A New York woman accused of murdering her apartment building's superintendent during a dispute over unpaid rent allegedly attempted to hide his body under her bed in garbage bags, authorities revealed.
Sandra Navarro, 48, and her husband reportedly owed years of back rent on their Queens apartment, amounting to $24,000, WABC reported.
On Jan. 16, building superintendent Jose Portillo, 55, visited their unit to collect the overdue payments on behalf of the landlord.
Portillo, a well-regarded member of the community who worked his way up from gardener to superintendent, was known for his friendliness and reliability. Police reportedly discovered Portillo's lifeless body stuffed in garbage bags under a bed in Navarro's apartment later that evening after coworkers reported him missing, as reported by the Gothamist.
Evidence suggests Navarro allegedly struck him with a heavy object and stabbed him multiple times in the neck and leg. Investigators also reportedly found signs of an attempted cover-up, including a mop, a strong smell of bleach and bloodstains in the bedroom.
Navarro initially claimed to have paid Portillo the owed rent and said he had left, but she allegedly later directed officers to his concealed remains. Her husband, who was at work during the incident, is not facing charges.
Navarro has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and weapon possession. She faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Held without bail, she has pleaded not guilty, and her next court appearance is set for Jan. 24.
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