According to reports from the Queens County District Attorney?s Office, Coto-Navarro initially informed law enforcement that after she paid Portillo a staggering $23,000 in rent, he entered her residence but subsequently departed. This statement was later contradicted by the findings from the surveillance footage, which revealed that Portillo never left the apartment after entering. The inconsistency in her account has led to further investigations into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

It wasn?t until the landlord of the building scrutinized the security footage that the police discovered the chilling truth: Portillo had entered the apartment but never exited. This revelation prompted law enforcement to return to the scene, where they encountered a horrifying and disturbing scene that would ultimately lead to extensive investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.

?This was a grotesque murder,? stated Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz, emphasizing the severity and brutality of the crime that has left the community in shock and disbelief.

Coto-Navarro was apprehended on January 16 and faces serious charges including second-degree murder, two counts of tampering with physical evidence, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, as indicated by the DA?s Office. Should she be found guilty of the murder charge, she could face a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison, reflecting the gravity of the alleged crime.

In court, Coto-Navarro entered a plea of not guilty to the charges, according to reports from the Gothamist. She has been ordered to be held in custody until her next court appearance, which is scheduled for Friday, January 24, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.

Portillo had gone to Coto-Navarro?s apartment early in the morning on January 14, at approximately 8:40 a.m., to collect $24,000 in overdue rent payments. His failure to return to work later that day prompted his concerned coworkers to contact the police around 5 p.m., raising alarms about his sudden disappearance.

According to sources with knowledge of the situation reported by amNewYorkMetro, Coto-Navarro?s husband was at work during the alleged incident but discovered Portillo?s lifeless body upon his return home. He arrived approximately 20 minutes before the police, which raised further questions about the timeline of events and the actions taken following the discovery of the body, reported WABC.

Initially, he was reportedly reluctant to allow police entry into the apartment. However, he eventually revealed the location of Portillo?s body to law enforcement. According to police sources, they do not expect him to face any charges, alleviating some concerns regarding his involvement in the case.

After law enforcement finally gained access to the suspect?s apartment, they discovered Portillo?s body shockingly wrapped in garbage bags and hidden beneath a mattress. This gruesome finding has intensified the investigation and raised further questions about how the events unfolded leading up to his death.

Officers reported a strong odor of bleach emanating from the apartment, and they observed a mop alongside what appeared to be blood near the bottom of the mattress and by a dresser in the bedroom. This disturbing scene suggested a possible attempt to clean up after the horrific crime, further complicating the investigation as authorities piece together the details.

Investigators determined that the victim had suffered several blunt force injuries to his head, believed to have been inflicted by a pipe. Additionally, the DA stated that Coto-Navarro placed a bag over his head, contributing to his death. It was also noted that the victim sustained sharp force injuries to his neck and leg post-mortem, raising the severity of the charges against Coto-Navarro.

?As alleged, the defendant not only murdered the superintendent while attempting to collect rent, but also attempted to dismember the deceased victim, wrapped his body in black garbage bags, and tried to bleach the crime scene,? stated Katz in the press release, illustrating the brutal nature of the crime.

?Now, a life has been lost and a family is in upheaval because the defendant allegedly chose to resolve a rent dispute with violence,? she continued. ?This is not how a civilized society operates. The defendant will face justice for this heinous murder,? reinforcing the gravity of the situation and the community’s demand for justice.

In the days that followed the shocking death of Jose Portillo, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to assist with the funeral expenses. As more details about his life emerged, it became clear that he was a beloved figure in his community.

?Known throughout his neighborhood for his incredible work ethic, he never hesitated to help others in need,? remarked Julissa Gomez, who created the GoFundMe page. ?His greatest joy in life was caring for his family, and his loss leaves an irreplaceable void in all our lives,? highlighting the profound impact he had on those around him.

Gomez?s GoFundMe campaign, established on behalf of Portillo?s wife, Rene, has successfully raised over $16,000 towards its $18,000 goal. ?Every contribution, regardless of the size, will help ease the financial burden on his family, allowing them to focus on healing and remembering the wonderful man everyone loved,? she wrote, showcasing the community’s support during this tragic time.

On the day of her arraignment, the grieving widow of Portillo confronted Coto-Navarro, the suspected murderer, as she was being led out of the precinct stationhouse to head to court, further highlighting the emotional turmoil surrounding the case.

?You killed my husband!? she shouted in Spanish at the woman, expressing her grief and anger as police escorted Coto-Navarro to a waiting police vehicle, a poignant moment that underscored the impact of the crime on Portillo?s family.

Neighbors of Coto-Navarro expressed disbelief over both Portillo?s untimely death and her alleged involvement, with one neighbor telling WABC, ?She was always sweet, honestly. She was very, very sweet. I am just a bit shocked by this whole thing,? illustrating the unexpected nature of the crime in their community.

Residents in the apartment building noted that Portillo initially started working there as a gardener and later transitioned to the superintendent role. They described him as friendly and engaging, further emphasizing how his tragic death has affected the entire community.