Police have arrested a suspect in connection to the brutal murder of a Springfield Gardens woman who was found in her home.
Danueal Drayton, 27, of New Haven, Connecticut, was taken into custody in North Hollywood, California, on July 26. CBS New York reported that Drayton was found in a hotel holding another woman captive.
According to police, at 9:10 p.m. on July 17, officers from the 105th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding an unconscious person at a home on 145th Road near 167th Street. Upon their arrival, police found 29-year-old Samantha Stewart, unconscious and unresponsive, with trauma to her neck and head.
Stewart was declared dead at the scene by EMS. The medical examiner later determined that Stewart was strangled.
Reports say that Drayton has a history with police. In June, Drayton was arrested for allegedly choking his ex-girlfriend. He also has five prior arrests in Connecticut and is allegedly connected to the rape of a 23-year-old woman in Brooklyn.
Police believe that Drayton used Tinder to meet Stewart and could have used other dating websites to meet other potential victims.
Detectives believe that there may be other victims or crimes associated with Drayton. The NYPD is asking for anyone with information to contact investigators immediately.
When we captured Danuel Drayton in LA for the murder of Queens nurse Samantha Stewart, he had another victim held captive. He’s off the streets but may have victimized others via online dating sites. Need help or have info? Call 800-577-TIPS/ sex crimes hotline 212-267-RAPE pic.twitter.com/iif7E9KuyA
— Chief Dermot F. Shea (@NYPDDetectives) July 26, 2018
