Jackson Heights death ruled a homicide after nearly four months

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By Phineas Rueckert

A Jackson Heights man who was found dead in his apartment in February was the victim of a homicide, the New York Police Department determined Monday.

Rafael Huertas, 56, was surrounded by drug paraphernalia and covered with a plastic sheet, according to sources. So far no arrests have been made, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Huertas was found in his sixth-floor apartment at 37-41 79th Street just before 8:00 p.m. on February 9, 2019. He was initially found unconscious, and EMS responders later pronounced him dead on the scene, QNS reported in February.  

According to the NYC Crime Map, two murders were reported in the 115th precinct, which represents Jackson Heights, between January and April 2019.