Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Good Samaritan Found Dead in Apartment
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A woman who invite the homeless into her Harlem apartment for a meal and shower was found murdered in her home. Barbara Simpkins's daughter became worried when her calls to her mother went unanswered and arrived in the city to find her mother's body naked and her hands tied with rags. The police says Simpkins suffered neck trauma. A neighbor told the Post, "She would bring homeless people in and feed them and clean them. I wonder if someone didn't like the help they got." This story is terribly tragic, because Simpkins seems like she really wanted to help (and did help) others, but opening up your home to people you don't know is just dangerous.
Tagged
harlem
homeless
naked
News: NYC
people
police
the city
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .