NEW : Man has confessed in death of woman found in suitcase , authorities say . NEW : Hassan Malik , 28 , was arraigned Tuesday on a count of second -degree murder . The New York Medical Examiner 's office said Williams had suffered , among other injuries , blunt force trauma to her head and asphyxiation , the complaint said . NEW : Hassan Malik said he was acting in self-defense , CNN spokeswoman says . DA spokeswoman : He admitted bludgeoning and strangling Betty Williams Tuesday .
NEW : Man has confessed in death of woman found in suitcase , authorities say . NEW : Hassan Malik , 28 , was arraigned Tuesday on a count of second -degree murder . NEW : Hassan Malik said he was acting in self-defense , CNN spokeswoman says . DA spokeswoman : He admitted bludgeoning and strangling Betty Williams Tuesday .