A puzzling and eerie finding was made in the East River of New York City as human remains were discovered inside a suitcase. Authorities are now working diligently to unravel the mystery surrounding how these remains came to be in such a disturbing location. The New York Police Department’s Harbor Unit successfully retrieved the remains from the river near Governor’s Island at approximately 5:30 p.m. on a Wednesday evening. The department officially confirmed this discovery in a statement provided to USA TODAY. After being retrieved, the remains were promptly taken to Pier 17, where emergency responders were quick to arrive and sadly pronounced the individual deceased.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken charge to determine the cause of death, as the investigation into this chilling incident remains active and ongoing. As of Thursday morning, the identity of the individual has not yet been established.
In a separate but equally alarming case, news resurfaced of a similar gruesome discovery that occurred two years earlier in New York City. In September of 2022, the remains of a 22-year-old woman were found concealed in two suitcases in the city. Authorities were alerted to the location by a concerned individual who requested a wellness check at an apartment in Brooklyn. Upon investigating, the woman’s remains were tragically found within the suitcases.
Neighbors had reported a foul odor emanating from the apartment, coupled with the unsettling absence of the woman for several days, as reported by television station WABC at the time. The woman was eventually identified as D’Asia Johnson.
In a subsequent development, in November of 2022, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced the laying of murder and dismemberment charges against Johnson’s ex-boyfriend, Justin Williams. In a news release, District Attorney Gonzalez expressed, “This defendant is accused of the horrific murder and dismemberment of his former girlfriend. While we can’t erase the tragic and cruel death of D’Asia Johnson, we are fully committed to bringing this defendant to justice. I hope that this prosecution brings a measure of solace to D’Asia’s family and friends.”
According to officials, Williams had dismembered the woman’s body, concealed it within two suitcases, and shockingly continued to reside in the apartment for a month, resorting to towels and cleaning products to mask the odious smell.
Contributing to this report: Jordan Mendoza
Saleen Martin, a dedicated reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team, hails from Norfolk, Virginia, known fondly as the 757. For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to her via email at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Human remains found inside suitcase in NYC’s East river
