A cosmetics vendor was stabbed to death Saturday inside his Washington Heights apartment, according to police officials and friends, who said the victim’s boyfriend found the body on the floor between the bed and refrigerator.

At some point after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to police, the victim’s boyfriend, whose name was given as Julio Torres, was worried because he had not heard from the man, Osvaldo Hernandez, whom friends called Juan Pablo.

Mr. Torres tried to enter Hernandez’s apartment on West 183rd Street but found the door obstructed, police and a friend of the victim said. Once inside, Mr. Torres saw Hernandez’s body on the floor, all but one hand covered with a blanket, friends said. Hernandez had been stabbed in the chest and neck.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry at the first-floor studio apartment, which is adjacent to the communal bathroom. A neighbor, Francisca Pagan, 53, said she heard no signs of a struggle Saturday night.

Hernandez – who police said had no criminal record – lived alone in the apartment for about seven years, neighbors said. He was born in Venezuela, where his family still reportedly resides. Looking to earn more money, Hernandez gave up cutting hair at salons and worked independently, also selling shampoo and lotions in the neighborhood from a cart.

Hernandez reportedly dated Mr. Torres – who one friend said is a chef – for more than five years. Mr. Torres would take the bus into New York City from his New Jersey home and spend the weekend with Hernandez, a longtime friend, Nancy Chaco, said. She described a happy couple and said the lovers took a trip to Hawaii as recently as two months ago. She said she was using only her former married name, out of fear Hernandez’s killer might seek her out.

“He was like my brother,” Ms. Chaco said. Their friendship began when they worked at the same salon many years ago.

No arrests were made by yesterday evening.