Suspect Arrested in Central Park Murder, Ending 5-Year Homicide-Free Streak

A 36-year-old man, Jonathan Robles, has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of 63-year-old Lee Rogers, a homeless artist found beaten to death in Central Park. The incident marks the first murder in the New York City landmark in five years.

Rogers was discovered near a gazebo off East Drive and East 74th Street on Sunday morning. Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that investigators believe she was bludgeoned with a stick following an argument with Robles.

Robles, a resident of a Midtown homeless shelter, surrendered to authorities on Sunday and has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He was undergoing evaluation at a hospital before an expected arraignment.

Rogers, also known by the names Francis Lee Rogers and Elise Bainbridge Hill, was a familiar figure among Central Park's birdwatchers and artists. For years, she created intricate watercolors of the park's wildlife while living in and around the park. "She was like the Grandma Moses of Central Park," nature walk guide Robert DeCandido told the Post, comparing her to the celebrated American folk artist.

Her life was chronicled in the 2007 documentary "Begging Naked," which detailed her journey from running away as a teenager to experiencing homelessness, prostitution, and drug addiction before developing her artistic talents. Her website indicated she worked on her paintings at the Central Park boathouse.

Joe Lopez, who purchased one of Rogers' paintings of a red-tailed hawk in 2016, remembered her as "kind and sweet and soft," and noted her deep knowledge of animal behavior.

In recent years, Rogers' health appeared to decline, with DeCandido observing her becoming more "standoffish" and "reclusive."

Discovery and Investigation

Police responded to a 911 call reporting an unconscious person at approximately 9:43 a.m. on Sunday. Officers found Rogers unresponsive with severe head trauma. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene. Investigators believe she was struck with a stick. A tent and scattered clothing were found near the secluded crime scene.

Investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances of the confrontation. Moje Ramirez, who is homeless and knew both Rogers and Robles, told the Post that the pair were familiar with each other and "didn't get along but they were regulars."

Prior to Rogers' killing, the last known homicide in Central Park was on September 22, 2021, when Elvis Garcia, 26, was found with a rope around his neck. The medical examiner later ruled his death a homicide by strangulation, but no arrest was made in that case.