A man is under arrest in the killing of a 63-year-old woman in Central Park, New York police said late Sunday.
Jonathan Robles, 36, was booked on suspicion of murder and criminal possession of a weapon around 9 p.m. Robles’ last listed address is the Barbour Hotel homeless shelter in Hell’s Kitchen.
Investigators said Sunday night that the victim, who was found near East Drive and East 74th Street, had head trauma. Police retracted an earlier statement that she had been stabbed.
The NYPD said it received a call about an unconscious woman at around 9:40 a.m., as a slow-moving nor’easter drenched the region. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials said she did not have identification.
The death shook Central Park visitors.
“Terrible. This is our playground. It’s our backyard. ... It’s the last thing you want to happen,” said John, a New York City resident.
Tourist Guadalupe García said: “It’s very terrible and sad news, because we are tourists and we expect to pass a good time, so it’s very sad. I will try to enjoy the park in this time and not at the dark, for example.”
Police believe the victim may have been experiencing homelessness.
