Tenant Behind $24K In Rent Reportedly Kills Superintendent With Pipe, Tries To Dismember Body And Hides It In Garbage Bag Under Bed

Jose Portillo (Facebook)

A #Queens, New York woman late on her rent and trying to dodge her landlord, was arrested and charged with his murder.

Sandra Coto-Navarro, 48, has been arrested for the murder of her 55-year-old building superintendent, Jose Portillo, NYPost reports.

The incident occurred when Portillo visited Coto-Navarro’s Kew Gardens apartment to collect approximately $24,000 in unpaid rent.  

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Coto-Navarro allegedly attacked Portillo with a pipe, resulting in multiple blunt force injuries. After the assault, she attempted to dismember his body before concealing it in garbage bags under her bed. 

The medical examiner confirmed that Portillo died from mechanical asphyxia, with post-mortem injuries indicating an attempt to dismember the body.  

When Portillo failed to return from collecting the rent, his colleagues became concerned and contacted the authorities. Upon visiting Coto-Navarro’s apartment, police detected a strong odor of bleach and discovered Portillo’s body wrapped in garbage bags under a bed. Initially, Coto-Navarro claimed that Portillo had left after receiving a partial payment, but surveillance footage contradicted her statement, showing that he never exited the apartment.  

Coto-Navarro has been charged with second-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, she faces up to 25 years to life in prison. She was arraigned and is currently being held without bail.  

#Clique, that smirk on her face says a lot!

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