CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (WABC) — A 63-year-old woman who appeared to be living in 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.
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.
———-
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Download our connected TV app
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.