Woman Accused of Killing Building Superintendent, Wrapping Body in Garbage Bags After He Came to Collect Rent

A New York City woman is accused of killing her building’s superintendent while he attempted to collect unpaid rent from her on behalf of the landlord, authorities said.

Sandra Coto-Navarro, 48, was arraigned Thursday, Jan. 16 on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and weapon possession in connection with the death of 55-year-old Jose Portillo, according to a press release from the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors allege Portillo’s body was found by police wrapped in garbage bags and clothes stuffed under a bed inside Coto-Navarro’s apartment. Portillo’s co-workers called the police around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14, after he failed to return from Coto-Navarro’s apartment that morning or answer his phone, the release states.

While speaking with investigators, Coto-Navarro claimed Portillo stopped by her apartment earlier that day but left after she paid him $23,000, according to the release. However, police allege that surveillance video they reviewed does not show Portillo ever leaving the woman’s apartment.

When police returned to the apartment, they were directed to the bedroom, where they made the grim discovery. Police also reported smelling a strong odor of bleach and found a mop, as well as what appeared to be blood near the bottom of the bed and a dresser, according to the release.

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Portillo sustained “multiple blunt force injuries to the head and a bag was placed over his head, causing his death,” the release states. “The victim further sustained post-mortem sharp force injuries to his neck and left leg near the knee,” it added.

Residents who spoke with ABC7 said Portillo was gardener before he became the superintendent. The residents described him as a “friendly” man.

Coto-Navarro was arrested at the scene, prosecutors said, and was expected to appear in court on Friday, Jan. 17, records show. It’s unclear if she has entered a plea. PEOPLE has reached out to her attorney but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.

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Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the incident a “gruesome murder.”

“As alleged, the defendant not only murdered the superintendent trying to collect rent, but attempted to dismember the lifeless victim, wrapped his body in black garbage bags and tried bleaching the area,” Katz said in the release.

“Now, a life has been lost and a family is in upheaval because the defendant allegedly chose to resolve a rent dispute with violence,” the district attorney added. “This is not the way a civilized society operates. The defendant will face justice for this heinous murder.”

According to the district attorney’s office, Coto-Navarro faces up to 25 years to life in prison, if convicted.