Mother of suspect in Bronx woman’s torture-murder arrested for cleaning crime scene and charged with murder.
Naida Jorge, a 54-year-old woman, was arraigned on murder charges Friday in connection with the death of 21-year-old Princesa Encarnacion-Soto, whose body revealed harrowing signs of severe abuse. This incident has drawn significant attention as new details about the gruesome circumstances surrounding Encarnacion-Soto’s demise continue to emerge.
According to prosecutors, Encarnacion-Soto’s body bore the marks of extensive brutality, including deep cuts, stab wounds, and bruises attributed to hammer strikes. Disturbingly, the autopsy revealed that a piece of her finger was missing, a testament to the violent manner in which she was treated. The Medical Examiner required two days to document the comprehensive list of injuries before concluding the autopsy.
Encarnacion-Soto was discovered in the stairwell of her ex-boyfriend Robert Strother’s apartment building on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. Strother is currently at large and is suspected of being involved in the torture and eventual killing of Encarnacion-Soto. Jorge, the mother of Strother, initially claimed she found Encarnacion-Soto’s body and requested a neighbor to call the police, allegedly unaware of her identity.
Upon investigation, police revealed a horrifying scene within Jorge’s apartment. They reported finding bloodstained clothing, sheets, and bungee cords that suggested the victim had been restrained during the torture. NYPD officials indicated that it appeared Encarnacion-Soto had been tied to a bed, and the nature of her injuries indicated a deliberate infliction of pain rather than an intent to kill outright.
Jorge attempted to conceal the evidence, reportedly becoming combative with police when they sought to conduct a search of her residence. Officers observed a strong smell of bleach, suggesting efforts to eliminate traces of the crime, while they discovered the waste bag that Jorge discarded containing cleaning supplies and blood-soaked garments.
In court, Jorge was charged not only with murder but also with manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, and concealment of a human corpse. Following her arraignment, Judge Howard Bahr ordered her held without bail, dismissing her attorney’s claims regarding her prior lack of criminal history. Should she be convicted, Jorge faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
The relationship between Encarnacion-Soto and Strother reportedly began nearly three years prior but ended just before she relocated to Rhode Island. Returning to New York on July 11, she resumed living with Strother and Jorge. While officials have indicated no recorded history of domestic violence between the victim and her boyfriend, evidence presented suggests otherwise. Notably, Strother had 22 prior incidents of reported domestic violence, although none were against Encarnacion-Soto.
The untimely death of Princesa Encarnacion-Soto has left her family devastated. Her mother, Jocibelle Soto, described her daughter as a beautiful and loving person who did not deserve such a tragic fate.
