'Caring father to his 3 children': GoFundMe for building super killed in NYC
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – The family of a building superintendent who was killed on the job is raising funds to help pay for his funeral.
Jose Rene Portillo’s body was found stuffed in garbage bags under a bed in Queens on Jan. 14 after he went to collect rent at an apartment in Kew Gardens Hills.
“Known throughout his community for his incredible work ethic, he never hesitated to help others in need. His greatest joy in life was caring for his family, and his loss leaves an irreplaceable void in all our lives,” read the GoFundMe description.
Funds will not only help with funeral expenses but will also help Portillo’s three children.
“Every contribution, no matter the size, will help ease the financial burden on his family, allowing them to focus on healing and remembering the wonderful man everyone all loved,” the GoFundMe said.
Sandra Coto Navarro, 48, was arrested and charged in connection with the death of the 55-year-old building super.
She faces charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.
According to police, Navarro and her husband were two years behind on rent and owed about $24,000.
The property owner saw surveillance camera footage of Portillo going into the apartment to discuss collecting some of the money but he was never seen leaving, authorities say. That’s when the property owner called the police to do a wellness check.
Portillo was found with blunt trauma to the face and head as well as stab wounds to his neck and left leg, police say.
If convicted, Navarro could face up to 25 years to life in prison for murder.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.