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Good Samaritan Found Dead in Apartment
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 11, 2006
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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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.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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