Jose Davila Charged in Killing of Maria Benitez Found in Rochester Apartment

Jose Davila, 47, has been charged in the death of 57-year-old Maria Benitez after her body was found in an apartment at Andrews Terrace Apartments on St. Paul Street in downtown Rochester. Authorities say Benitez had been reported missing for about a week before officers discovered her on January 28, 2026.

Investigators say the fatal incident stemmed from an altercation inside the apartment on January 22. "Detectives determined Jose Davila, 47, hit and kicked Benitez in the head several times during an altercation Jan. 22 inside the apartment, police said" The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office is handling the official cause of death as investigators and prosecutors build their case.

Rochester Police Department detectives and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office are jointly involved in the investigation. Prosecutors, with Assistant District Attorney Kevin Sunderland referenced in filings, charged Davila with homicide; court records show he has pleaded not guilty and the case is expected to proceed through the county courts. No additional statements from family members or law enforcement spokespeople were provided in the initial notices.

For residents and neighbors in downtown Rochester, the case underscores practical concerns about personal safety, reporting procedures, and building security. Andrews Terrace Apartments is on a busy stretch of St. Paul Street; community members who live in multiunit housing should confirm emergency contacts with property managers, review how missing-person reports are handled, and maintain lines of communication with neighbors. If you have information about the incident, contact the Rochester Police Department as investigators continue to seek leads.

The prosecution will have to prove the sequence of events and intent as the case moves forward. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s findings and any surveillance or witness evidence from the Andrews Terrace building will be central to the district attorney’s case. For community members following the story, expect updates when prosecutors file additional charges, evidence is released, or court hearings set dates for trial.

This investigation is a reminder that violent crime can occur close to home and that timely reporting matters. Monitor official Rochester Police Department releases and county court calendars for the next developments, and check in with neighbors and building management to strengthen local safety measures while the legal process unfolds.