Long Island Man Indicted for Dismembering Woman's Body and Discarding Remains

On July 8, a Long Island man, Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue, was indicted for unlawful concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence for allegedly dismembering the corpse of a 56-year-old woman from Patchogue. The Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges.

Discovery of the Remains

The investigation began after law enforcement was alerted on June 18, 2024, that the woman had gone missing on June 13, 2024. Detectives interviewed Cowell, who was allegedly the last person to see the woman alive. Subsequently, detectives located the dismembered remains across three locations in Patchogue.

Recovery of Evidence

During their search, detectives allegedly recovered an axe believed to be used to dismember the victim, as well as other evidence from Cowell's Patchogue residence. The swift action of the Suffolk County Police detectives in locating the victim's remains was commended by District Attorney Tierney. The investigation into the cause of death is still ongoing, with the medical examiner yet to issue a report.

Cowell is currently held on a $1 million cash bond and is due back in court on July 25, 2024. District Attorney Tierney reassured the victim's family and the public that they are committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal process.

Similar Cases in the Area

The discovery of the dismembered remains in Long Island has drawn attention to other similar cases in the region. The New York Police's search of the Long Island forest is believed to be linked to previous unsolved cases, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.