Police say they have one person in custody in connection with the first murder of the year.
It happened in Woodhaven, Queens around 11 p.m. Friday.
Investigators say they found 19-year-old Joceline Romo beaten and strangled in a first floor apartment on 86th Street.
Authorities say the suspect is Romo's boyfriend.
Neighbors say they are shocked to hear about the killing.
"It's sad that this happened, especially at the beginning of the New Year," said one neighbor.
"And unfortunately it had to happen over here across the street, like I said it's a very quiet neighborhood. So for that it's sad, it's sad. I'm sad for her, I'm sad for her family."
"I heard about it this morning and it's quite devastating," said another.
"I was kind of shocked because she was such a young girl and she had her whole life ahead of her," said a third.
"I hope whoever did it they do find out what happened," another neighbor said. "But other than, it's just like it's sad."
The suspect is being treated in the psych ward of Jamaica Hospital.