A well-known homeless artist recognized for her detailed paintings of Central Park’s birds was identified Monday as the victim found murdered in a gazebo near the park’s boathouse. Francis Lee Rogers, 63, was discovered dead Sunday after sustaining fatal injuries in an assault involving a stick, according to law enforcement sources.

Rogers, who spent years living in and around Central Park, sold her intricate wildlife watercolors to birdwatchers and park visitors. Robert DeCandido, a nature walk guide familiar with Rogers, described her as a beloved fixture in the community, likening her to the “Grandma Moses of Central Park.” DeCandido noted that regular birders appreciated her art and would often purchase her paintings while she camped at nearby churches.

The body was found in a gazebo near 74th Street and East Drive, prompting speculation among local birdwatchers and individuals experiencing homelessness, many of whom recognized her. The suspect, 36-year-old Jonathan Robles, surrendered to authorities late Sunday. Police reported that an argument between Rogers and Robles escalated into violence, though further details of the confrontation remain unclear.

Rogers also went by the name Elise Bainbridge Hill, a moniker associated with a 2007 documentary titled “Begging Naked.” The film, created by her longtime friend Karen Gehres, chronicles Rogers’s life over nearly a decade, including her struggles with homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. According to the documentary, Rogers ran away from home as a teenager, eventually arriving in New York City where she became involved in prostitution and substance abuse before developing her artistic talents. She also worked as a stripper while pursuing art. The film portrays her battle with paranoia, including fears of her converted studio near Carnegie Hall being surveilled.

Rogers’s plight was highlighted in a 2012 profile that compared her to the naturalist artist John James Audubon, although she chose to withhold details of her life and age at the time. Those who knew her described her as knowledgeable about wildlife beyond her artwork. Joe Lopez, who met Rogers in 2016, recalled her as “kind and sweet,” praising her understanding of animal behavior and affection for Central Park’s famous red-tailed hawk “Pale Male.” Lopez held one of Rogers’s paintings in tribute at the site where she often rested.

Another acquaintance, Moje Ramirez, who is also homeless, said he knew both Rogers and Robles. He described Robles as someone who struggled with impulse control when intoxicated and said the two were familiar but did not get along.

Robles appeared in Manhattan court Monday for arraignment on charges including murder and criminal possession of a weapon. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Rogers’s death remains ongoing.