New York Woman Arrested for Allegedly Torturing Her Girlfriend for Months Before Murdering Her: Authorities
A woman from New York was arrested for allegedly torturing her girlfriend for months before killing her, authorities stated.
Kenya Tilford, 41, from New Rochelle, has been indicted for murder and for inflicting torture upon her intimate partner Concetta Morton, Office of the District Attorney, Westchester County, New York, Miriam E. Rocah, stated.
Tilford allegedly tortured Morton for three months, and then after killing her, concealed her body in a storage bin at her Franklin Avenue apartment, the Office of the District Attorney shared.
Asphyxiation has been determined as Morton's cause of death. Authorities have surveillance footage that shows the accused purchasing hooded coveralls, bleach, tarps, paper towels, rubber gloves, a chainsaw, and the storage bin, while she was torturing the victim before murdering her.
Police discovered the victim's body at 155 Franklin, CBS reported. Gyllian Dunkley, the victim's neighbor, was heartbroken by the tragedy and said, that she was, "Very, very kind, had a heart of gold. She was just looking for shelter and friendship."
During the investigation, police contacted Tilford, who told them that she was out of town, CBS reported. Authorities allege that she was lying based on the surveillance footage that they had recovered.
About Tilford, Dunkley told CBS, "She pretends to have this good image, but she has a black soul. She should never be let out of prison for the rest of her life."
Tilford was arrested by the New Rochelle Police Department on September 15, 2023, at Elmsford Hotel, Office of the District Attorney stated.
A Westchester County Grand Jury indicted Tilford on 18 counts, which included Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Strangulation in the First Degree, and Concealment of a Human Corpse.
Tilford has also been accused of intimidating an individual, threatening another one with a knife, as well as inflicting physical and sexual assault on her partner, the Office of the District Attorney stated.
On July 2, 2024, Tilford was arraigned before New York State Supreme Court Justice, Anne Minihan, in Westchester County Court. She remains in Westchester County Jail until her next court appearance which was set for July 16, 2024.
"In a first for this Office, we are charging the defendant for not only murder but also for allegedly acting in an especially cruel manner and inflicting torture upon Ms. Morton before her death. We commend the New Rochelle police for their role in this exhaustive investigation. My Office will seek justice for all of the victims," District Attorney Rocah stated.