Central Park artist Francis Lee Rogers found dead

Francis Lee Rogers, a 63-year-old artist known as the ‘Bird Lady’ of Central Park, was found dead on Sunday, September 27. Rogers, who was experiencing homelessness, lived under a gazebo in the New York City park.

Rogers was a well-known figure among park visitors due to her passion for birdwatching and painting, particularly focusing on the Ramble area. Police sources reported that she was found with signs of assault, though the New York Police Department has not officially confirmed her identity while the investigation remains ongoing.

Known to some as the ‘Grandma Moses of Central Park,’ Rogers had a life marked by significant hardship, including past struggles with addiction and prostitution, which were documented in the 2007 film ‘Begging Naked.’ She used art as a primary means of expression throughout her life.