Introduction to the Case
FILE – Medical examiner’s team removing a body in Queens
Photo by Dean Moses
Police officials said Thursday that the human remains found by a sanitation crew in Queens earlier this week belonged to an unidentified woman whose extremities had been hacked away.
Discovery of the Remains
Only the victim’s torso was discovered about 100 feet south of the intersection of 149th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard, near Idlewild Park, on Sept. 22. New York City sanitation workers performing a roadside cleanup around 8 a.m. that morning when they noticed a foul smell and made the grisly find.
Initial Investigation
“It had several unique and identifiable tattoos which were not visible and not decomposed,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said of the torso. “The autopsy was done, and the doctor basically tells us, at this point, the torso itself does not have any wounds or injuries that would indicate any cause of death. The forensic anthropologist is still walking through it.”
Victim’s Tattoos May Offer Clues
While authorities say they have yet to determine how the woman lost her life, they say the torso had a broken rib that most likely stemmed from the remains being dropped.
Several tattoos depicted a flower and three names, Chief Kenny said, adding that police are working through missing person reports in an attempt to match up the names.
“The doctor further states that he believes that straight edge instruments, such as a knife, were used to cut through the soft tissue, and some sort of saw was used to cut through the bone,” Chief Kenny said.
Victim Profile and Investigation Status
Police say the victim is believed to be of Guyanese descent, but her age has not yet been established.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding these remains can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Conclusion
The discovery of the human remains in Queens park is a disturbing and complex case that requires further investigation. The NYPD is working diligently to identify the victim and determine the circumstances surrounding her death. The unique tattoos found on the torso may hold the key to unlocking the mystery of her identity and the events that led to her tragic demise.
FAQs
Q: Where were the human remains found?
A: The human remains were found in Queens park, near Idlewild Park, about 100 feet south of the intersection of 149th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard.
Q: What was discovered?
A: Only the victim’s torso was discovered, with her extremities hacked away.
Q: Are there any leads on the victim’s identity?
A: The victim is believed to be of Guyanese descent, but her age has not yet been established. The NYPD is working through missing person reports to match up the names depicted in her tattoos.
Q: How can I provide information about the case?
A: You can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
