Woman beaten to death in New York City's Central Park; suspect charged with murder
63-year-old woman pronounced dead at the scene
NEW YORK -- A 63-year-old woman who appeared to be living in New York City's Central Park was beaten to death and a suspect has been charged with murder in what authorities say is the park's first homicide in years.
Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious person near East Drive and East 74th Street at about 9:43 a.m. Sunday. Officers found the woman unconscious and unresponsive with trauma to the head. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending notification of family members.
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The victim appeared to have been living in the park. She was found barefoot and covered in dirt, and investigators believe she was struck in the head with a stick.
Police arrested Jonathan Robles, 36, Sunday night and charged him with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Authorities said Robles is a resident of the Barbour Hotel, a Midtown homeless shelter. He later surrendered to detectives and was being evaluated at a hospital ahead of an expected arraignment.
