A man has been arrested in connection with the strangulation death of a woman found outside a hotel just blocks from New York City’s Times Square. The woman’s body was discovered early Thursday morning on the sidewalk near the entrance of the Hotel Edison, a popular hotel in the heart of Manhattan’s theater district.
Authorities identified the victim as 29-year-old Lauren Martinez, a resident of Brooklyn. Police responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call at approximately 4:30 a.m. Thursday, reporting an unresponsive woman outside the hotel. When officers arrived, they found Martinez lying on the ground with visible signs of trauma, including injuries consistent with strangulation.
“Her death was tragic, and our department is working diligently to find justice for her,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig. “We are committed to piecing together the events leading to her death.”
The investigation into Martinez’s death quickly pointed to 34-year-old Richard Delgado, a man who had been seen with her earlier in the evening. Police say that surveillance footage from the area showed Delgado and Martinez walking together in the vicinity of the hotel, though the details of their interaction remain unclear. Delgado was arrested later that afternoon at a nearby location and charged with second-degree murder.
Delgado, a known associate of Martinez, reportedly had a history of domestic disputes with her, according to police sources. It is not yet clear whether the two had a romantic relationship or if there were other factors that led to the altercation.
Neighbors and local residents were shocked by the crime, which took place in one of the most bustling and tourist-heavy areas of the city. “It’s just so surreal,” said one local business owner who witnessed the police investigation. “Times Square is always full of people, and to think something like this could happen here—it’s chilling.”
Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crime, and are looking into whether there were any additional witnesses or surveillance footage that could shed more light on what happened. Authorities have also not ruled out the possibility of additional charges depending on the results of the investigation.
Delgado is being held without bail and is expected to be arraigned in court later this week. The case has drawn attention to issues of public safety in one of New York City’s busiest and most iconic neighborhoods. As of now, the motive behind the murder remains unclear, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.