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Body found in Queens identified as building superintendent

NYPD investigating after body found in Kew Gardens, Queens apartment
NYPD investigating after body found in Kew Gardens, Queens apartment 01:23

NEW YORK -- A body found in Queens has neighbors shaken and police searching for answers. 

The deceased was identified late Wednesday night as 55-year-old Jose Portillo, of Queens. 

Police sources tell CBS News New York he was the building's superintendent, and his body was found inside a tenant's apartment. Sources say he went into the apartment to collect rent, and never came out. 

Body found inside bag, under bed, sources say

Officers were called for wellness check around 5 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment building on 70th Avenue in Kew Gardens. 

Sources say they found the body in the ground floor unit, stuffed inside a garbage bag and under a bed. 

The medical examiner's office removed the body and will determine the cause of death. 

Police said two people of interest were taken into custody at the scene, and 48-year-old Sandra Coto-Navarro was later charged with murder, tampering with evidence and criminal possession of a weapon. 

Queens neighbors "shocked" by the news

Neighbors said they never noticed anything suspicious at the apartment. 

"I'm shocked, I'm just in pure shock," one person said. "He's my super, he's a nice guy. He's helpful, when we need something, he does everything."

"He was a good man, I mean, he always said, 'hello, how you doing?' If you called him, you had a problem or leak, he'd come right away," another neighbor added. 

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website. All calls are kept confidential.

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