Woman, 63, Beaten to Death With a Stick in New York's Central Park

A 63-year-old woman who may have been homeless and living in Central Park, the best-known park in New York City, has been beaten to death. A suspect has been charged with murder. Authorities say it is the first homicide in the park in several years, according to the broadcaster ABC 7.

How the body was found

Police responded to a call to the 911 emergency number reporting an unconscious person near a small gazebo at the intersection of East Drive and East 74th Street. Officers found the woman unresponsive with a head injury. Emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.

She was barefoot and covered in mud. Her identity is being withheld until her family has been notified. Investigators believe she was struck on the head with a stick.

The suspect

Police arrested 36-year-old Jonathan Robles and charged him with murder and weapon possession. Authorities say he lives in a homeless shelter. He later confessed to detectives, and he is currently being evaluated at a hospital ahead of an upcoming court hearing.

Reaction from park visitors

The violence shocked many visitors. Visitor Brooks Houston called it horrifying and said he considers the park very safe at any hour of the day. Another visitor, Peter, said the area is usually very safe and that it was sad to hear of something so violent happening there. Many visitors said they regard it as an isolated incident.

The investigation is continuing.