The man suspected of killing a mother with an iron in a New York City hotel room was captured on camera fleeing the scene while wearing her blood-spattered leggings.
Police say a pair of blood-stained men’s pants were found next to the body of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, which was discovered last week by staff at the SoHo 54 hotel.
When staff discovered her body on the morning of February 8, the 38-year-old was lying under a blanket and next to a broken iron, having checked in the day before.
The police confirmed this to police on Thursday New York Post that they had surveillance footage of the suspect of a man leaving the hotel in “a strange pair of leggings.”
NYPD Chief Detective Joseph Kenny said, “We have video of the woman arriving at the location wearing unusual leggings, and later we see a man leaving the hotel wearing the same leggings and we also have men’s pants on. the hotelroom. There was blood all over the pants.’
Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, 38, was found dead in a room at the SoHo 45 Hotel last Thursday morning
Her death has been formally ruled a homicide (photo: interior of the room where Oleas-Arancibia was found)
Oleas-Arancibia died of neck compression and blunt head trauma, a spokesperson for the city medical examiner’s office said
When pressed further by The Post about what made the leggings so distinctive, Kenny added, “It’s a man wearing women’s leggings.”
Wellness calls were made to the front desk for Oleas-Arancibia throughout the evening.
The Post reported that an employee entered her room, despite a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the handle, and left after seeing her on the floor under the blanket.
Kenny added: ‘I thought nothing of it and went back downstairs thinking the woman was sleeping on the floor.’
Investigators have not yet identified the man in the leggings, but are using “extensive video” to track down the person of interest, who they are tracking through transactions on the subway system.
Kenny told the outlet that the person used his own credit card to purchase meals and MetroCards.
DailyMail.com revealed earlier this week that detectives believe Oleas-Arancibia, a mother of two, was a sex worker.
Sources said she was seen walking the streets of Roosevelt Avenue in Queens days before her death.
The 38-year-old mother was unresponsive and unconscious when authorities arrived on scene. She was pronounced dead by EMS
DailyMail.com revealed earlier this week that detectives believe Oleas-Arancibia, a mother of two, was a sex worker
Wellness calls were made to the front desk for Oleas-Arancibia throughout the evening
A spokesperson for the city medical examiner said Oleas-Arancibia died of compression to her neck and blunt head trauma.
She was unconscious and unresponsive when authorities arrived on the scene. She suffered significant head trauma and was pronounced dead by paramedics.
The woman’s son, 18-year-old Edwin Cevallos, spoke to his mother the day before her death.
Cevallos lived with Oleas-Arancibia and her cousin in an apartment in Queens.
But he said he noticed changes in her behavior a week before the tragedy. “She was so nervous and worried,” Cevallos said the daily news.
The teenager said he was “in shock” and added: “Everything here in New York reminds me of her.” Everything.’
Oleas-Arancibia (pictured left) came to the United States five years ago, leaving behind family, including one of her sons
The Ecuadorian native came to the United States five years ago, leaving behind family, including one of her other sons.
“My mother worked very hard,” said Cevallos, who came to the country with her two years ago.
Although the teen admitted he did not know his mother’s profession, he said she “always worked for us to give us the best life in this country.”
The 18-year-old was waiting to meet her on Thursday morning and called police when he still didn’t see her by 1pm.
Cevallos described his mother as “a very good person” who “always helped people” and “never hurt anyone.”
‘She always paid for everything. She never owed anyone money. She always wanted to help them move forward,” the teen said.
A bloody iron was found near her body. Police also recovered bloody pants with a receipt inside from the hotel room
SoHo 45, formerly known as the Hampton Inn, advertises rooms on its website for around $110 per night
He explained that his mother had worked tirelessly to achieve the American Dream and provide a better life for her children.
“She gave us the life we always wanted,” Cevallos said.
The last time he saw her was Wednesday morning, when she made him breakfast and paid a barber for his haircut.
Oleas-Arancibia told her son she loved him as he left for school that day.
“She was always happy and having fun,” Cevallos said. “I can’t believe this happened.”
Detectives entered the Manhattan hotel Thursday morning, startling guests staying there for New York Fashion Week.
SoHo 45, formerly known as the Hampton Inn, advertises rooms on its website for about $110 per night.