Arrest in death of man in Queens motel

Arrest in death of man in Queens motel

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NEW YORK (AP) - The NYPD has arrested a man in connection with the death of a gay man in a Queens motel.

Garcia Lleuyel faces second-degree murder charges. The 23-year-old also faces robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, tampering with physical evidence charges.

Police say 54-year-old Joseph Benzinger, of Queens, was found dead inside the Crown Motor Inn in Elmhurst on Saturday.

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

Police also are investigating the deaths of 2 other gay men in recent weeks. But they say the three incidents were not related.

On Jan. 26, David Rangel, was found dead at his Jackson Heights apartment.

Two days later, 48-year-old Charles Romo was found tied up in his Hamilton Heights section of Manhattan.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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