Who Is Jonathan Robles? What We Know About NY Central Park Murder Suspect - Newsweek

A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead near one of Central Park's most visited landmarks in New York City.

Jonathan Robles was arrested and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the death of a 63-year-old woman who was discovered near East Drive and East 74th Street inside the park, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said in a statement emailed to Newsweek on Monday.

The arrest came hours after police responded to reports of an unconscious person in Central Park.

Police told Newsweek on Sunday that the woman had been stabbed but have since retracted that statement and said she suffered head trauma.

Newsweek reached out to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office by phone and email Monday for more information on Robles' case and whether he has an attorney.

According to the NYPD, officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 9:43 a.m. Sunday regarding an unconscious person near East Drive and East 74th Street in Central Park.

When officers arrived, they found a 63-year-old woman unconscious and unresponsive with trauma to her head. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.

The woman was found barefoot and covered in dirt near Central Park's East Drive, and investigators believe she was struck in the head with a stick. Robles surrendered to detectives before being taken to a hospital for evaluation ahead of his expected arraignment, according to WABC-TV in New York.

The location where the woman was found is near the Loeb Boathouse area on the park's east side, one of Central Park's most recognizable destinations.

Police have not yet publicly released a motive or detailed the circumstances that led to the killing.

The victim's identity has not been made public pending notification of family members. The investigation remains ongoing.

The NYPD identified the suspect as Jonathan Robles, a 36-year-old man with a listed address of 330 West 36th Street in Manhattan.

The address is associated with the Barbour Hotel, a single-room occupancy residence that has operated as supportive housing through Praxis Housing Initiatives.

According to the New York State Office of the Professions, Praxis Housing Initiatives operates the Barbour Hotel as a residential program providing housing and case management services for vulnerable New Yorkers, including people who have experienced chronic homelessness and individuals living with HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, mental illness, substance-use disorders and other health challenges.

Praxis Housing Initiatives describes itself as a nonprofit organization focused on supportive housing and social services for people facing housing instability. The Barbour Hotel is one of several residences operated by the organization in New York City.

The connection between Robles and the West 36th Street address does not indicate how long he may have lived there or whether he was receiving services through the program. Police have not disclosed additional details about his living situation.

Authorities also have not suggested that the Barbour Hotel or Praxis Housing Initiatives had any connection to the alleged crime beyond the address listed by police in the arrest announcement.

Newsweek reached out to Praxis House Initiatives through their online contact portal Monday for comment.

Beyond the information provided in the arrest announcement, authorities have released few details about Robles. Court records detailing the allegations against him were not immediately available, and police have not publicly said whether he knew the victim.

Investigators also have not disclosed what evidence linked Robles to the killing, when the alleged attack occurred, or whether additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.

It is unclear if Robles has a previous criminal history or where he is from originally.

Robles faces charges of murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Additional information is expected to emerge through court proceedings and any future statements from investigators or prosecutors.

Central Park spans approximately 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, stretching from 59th Street to 110th Street and from Fifth Avenue to Central Park West.

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux and opened in the 19th century, the park is one of New York City's most visited public spaces, drawing millions of visitors each year.

Despite its size and heavy foot traffic, homicides in Central Park are relatively uncommon. High-profile killings in the park have historically generated significant public attention because of the location's status as one of the city's most recognizable landmarks.

Police have not released further details about the killing, and authorities say the investigation is continuing.

While homicides in Central Park are uncommon, notorious cases have become part of the park's history and captured national attention.

Among the most well-known was the 1989 assault and rape of a woman jogging in the park. The case led to the convictions of five teenagers, known as the Central Park 5, who were later exonerated after DNA evidence and a confession from the actual attacker emerged. The wrongful convictions helped spark a national debate about criminal justice and media coverage.

Another infamous case was the 1986 killing of 18-year-old Jennifer Levin. Her death led to the highly publicized prosecution of Robert Chambers, dubbed the "Preppy Killer," in a case that drew intense media scrutiny and became one of New York City's most closely watched murder trials.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Hollie Silverman and Dave Siminoff.