Francis Lee Rogers, Painter and Avid Birdwatcher, Found Dead in Central Park
The 63-year-old unhoused artist, known for her depictions of the park, has been beaten to death, accoding to reports.
Francis Lee Rogers, a 63-year-old artist known for her bird-themed paintings of Central Park, was found dead on September 27. The New York Police Department is investigating the circumstances of her death, which occurred under the gazebo where she lived. Rogers, who was unhoused, was a frequent visitor to the park, particularly the Ramble, where she immersed herself in birdwatching and painting.
Her artistic journey was marked by adversity, as she changed her name multiple times throughout her life. Initially known as Elise Bainbridge Hill, she gained notoriety through a 2007 documentary titled "Begging Naked," which chronicled her life as a former sex worker and heroin addict. Despite her struggles, Rogers found solace in her art, creating a body of work that captured the essence of Central Park's avian inhabitants.
Neighbors and fellow artists described her as a humble and unassuming figure, unwilling to draw attention to herself. The New York Police Department, however, remains tight-lipped about the case, pending further investigation.
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