A suspect has been arrested and charged with murder after the tragic death of 23-year-old Leslie Torres, whose lifeless body was recovered close to the Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square on October 29. According to the Daily News, officers found surveillance footage depicting Torres being dragged outside the hotel shortly after the assault. She was rushed to the hospital and placed on life support but succumbed to her injuries on November 4. Authorities have indicated the injuries were consistent with strangulation.
The accused, identifiable as Jaheem Warren, 33, had been on law enforcement's radar due to prior criminal activities. His background includes multiple drug offense convictions dating back several years. Reports suggest he is suspected of becoming fixated on Torres on the night of the attack, complicity displayed by hotel staff who witnessed what they believed was the couple arguing prior to the incident.
Investigators leveraged facial recognition technology to confirm Warren's identity as he appeared on surveillance footage. Initially detained for an unrelated issue in New Jersey, he was swiftly extradited to New York once his connection to the murder was established. The NYPD announced he is facing numerous charges: two counts of murder alongside various assault and strangulation charges.
Leading up to the incident, Torres had been living at the Longacre Stabilization Bed Program, nearby supportive housing. Colleagues and shelter staff described her as quiet and reserved, highlighting the stark contrasts between her peaceful demeanor and the horrific circumstances surrounding her death.
On the day of the attack, police were alerted around 1:35 p.m. to the scene near Times Square after emergency medical services responded to 305 West 46 Street where Torres was found. Once at Mount Sinai West hospital, her condition was described as dire, prompting the investigation leading to Warren's arrest. Torres was eventually declared brain dead shortly before her passing.
Witness accounts added to the complexity of the case as some reported seeing the pair together, leading to confusion over whether they had known each other prior to the violence. Yet investigations leaned toward it being a random act of violence, emphasizing the dangers women face even during innocuous days near public places such as Times Square.
The case has highlighted the increasing concerns about public safety and violence toward individuals, particularly women, within major urban settings. With Warren now formally charged, the focus shifts toward the courtroom as the investigation continues to unravel the events leading to Torres's tragic end.
