Mother of Suspected Torturer and Murderer Arrested for Scene Cleanup

The mother of a man believed to have tortured and murdered his 21-year-old girlfriend has been taken into custody after investigators found she assisted in cleaning the crime scene. Naida Jorge, 54, faces multiple charges including murder, manslaughter, hindering prosecution, concealment of a human corpse, and evidence tampering.

Authorities revealed that Jorge admitted to attempting to clean the area where Princesa Encarnacion-Soto was brutalized. Officers responding to a 911 call discovered the young woman, who was found barely alive, with signs of severe abuse and tied up in a Bronx apartment. She later died from her injuries. Detectives noted there was no blood on her when she was left on the staircase, suggesting she was cleaned and dressed in fresh clothing before being discarded.

The investigation indicated Encarnacion-Soto endured horrific torture, including being restrained, stabbed repeatedly, and possibly beaten with a hammer inside an apartment on the Grand Concourse. Blood evidence suggested she was tied to a bed, with fresh slice marks on her thighs and upper arms. She had recently returned to the Bronx after travel and was living with her boyfriend, Robert Strother, and his mother at the time.

Security footage shows Strother leaving the building, but he remains at large. Police dismissed a false report from Strother, who claimed Encarnacion-Soto was raped on the roof of the building, as a fabrication to hide her injuries. Neighbors described Strother and his mother as violent and frequently arguing.

Naida Jorge was ordered held without bail during her arraignment. Her lawyer argued that her involvement was limited and that many details remain unclear, suggesting she may not be culpable for her daughter’s death. Jorge previously worked for the Parks Department and the MTA but had to leave due to health issues. She is scheduled to appear in court again next week.