A Queens woman has been accused of killing a beloved building superintendent over unpaid rent and concealing his body under a bed wrapped in garbage bags. Sandra Coto Navarro, 48, faces charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the death of 55-year-old Jose Portillo.
As Navarro was escorted away in handcuffs, witnesses reported seeing a smirk on her face. Authorities allege that Navarro, who lived in a Kew Gardens Hills apartment, and her husband owed approximately $24,000 in unpaid rent, having not paid in years. Investigators say Portillo was struck on the head and stabbed in the neck and leg before his body was hidden under a bed.
His remains were discovered on Wednesday, January 15. Neighbors were left shocked by the news. One resident described Navarro as a kind and friendly individual. “She was always sweet, honestly. She was very, very sweet. I’m just a little surprised by this whole thing,” the neighbor said.
Police reviewed CCTV footage that reportedly showed Navarro’s husband was at work all day on the day of the incident. He returned home just 20 minutes before police arrived and allegedly informed them of Portillo’s location. Authorities have confirmed that he will not face charges related to the death.
The medical examiner determined that Portillo’s death was caused by homicidal violence. Portillo, a well-known figure in the community, had worked as a gardener before becoming the building’s superintendent. Neighbors described him as a friendly and helpful man who was always willing to stop for a chat or assist with tasks.
This tragic case follows another shocking crime in South Carolina, where Anthony Louis Lopez, 39, is accused of murdering his sister, Lisa Rosenzweig, 53, last November. Lopez, who waived his right to an attorney, has made bizarre public statements, including urging others to “follow God’s law and man’s law.”
Rosenzweig’s body was discovered after a welfare check at her home. Investigators believe she was killed by blunt force trauma. Lopez was apprehended in North Carolina and extradited to South Carolina, where he faces a potential death penalty. Both cases highlight the devastating consequences of violence, leaving communities mourning and searching for answers.