2 convicted for murdering Rochester man whose body was found in a garage

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) — Two people were convicted Thursday for killing Samuel Ortiz of Rochester in 2019.

Ortiz’s body was found decomposing in a garage in Rochester four days after his family reported him missing.

David Gardner, 44, and Kimberly Jones, 29, were both convicted of murder, kidnapping, and multiple counts of robbery. Investigators said both fled the state after the murder, which they committed while on parole with the New York State Department of Corrections.

An investigation led by the Rochester Police Department concluded that Gardner and Jones kidnapped and murdered Ortiz, then traveled to Florida with his stolen car. Florida authorities found his car lit on fire two days after the murder.

Gardner and Jones were arrested for parole absconding and extradited to New York State for the murder. Jones was arrested in Florida in July 2019 and Gardner was arrested in North Carolina two months later.

Both will be sentenced on April 20.