Police: Woman’s body found inside suitcase on Greenwich road

This photo of Valerie Reyes was posted by New Yok City police from the Midtown North precinct. The missing person poster said “Have you seen VALERIE REYES? 5' 3", black hair, brown eyes, 1/2 sleeve tattoo on left arm. Last seen wearing a green coat, black jeans, and black shoes. Suffers from anxiety and depression.” less This photo of Valerie Reyes was posted by New Yok City police from the Midtown North precinct. The missing person poster said “Have you seen VALERIE REYES? 5' 3", black hair, brown eyes, 1/2 sleeve tattoo on ... more Photo: NYPD Buy photo Photo: NYPD Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Police: Woman’s body found inside suitcase on Greenwich road 1 / 42 Back to Gallery

UPDATE: Missing New York woman identified as victim found in suitcase

Original story:

GREENWICH — Police are working to identify a woman found dead in Glenville Tuesday, part of a homicide investigation that began in the morning with the grisly discovery of her body stuffed in a suitcase in a wooded area near Glenville Road.

The victim had been bound at her hands and feet, Greenwich Police Capt. Robert Berry said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

She was found about 10 to 15 feet off Glenville Road near Stillman Lane by town highway workers around 8:15 a.m. Tuesday. They alerted police.

Berry said the woman appeared to be an adult female under the age of 30, possibly as young as 18.

“There was no doubt homicide was involved,” said Berry, who heads the detective unit. “We do not know the manner or cause of death at this time.”

Her body was clothed, Berry said at a noontime news conference. The spot where she was found is in a quiet residential area, not far from the Merritt Parkway.

“I can say it was not committed right there, the death was not right in that location. Where the death took place, we don’t know at this time,” Berry said.

The captain said it also was not clear when the murder took place. He gave few details and would not reveal the victim’s race or ethnicity.

The state’s chief medical examiner was on the scene into the late afternoon, checking the body and the immediate surroundings. An autopsy will be conducted by the medical examiner’s office. The Chief State’s Attorney’s Office was assisting as well.

Police officers were interviewing local residents, and seeking video footage from security systems for clues. Investigators were also examining tire prints and other forensic evidence, and checking missing persons reports.

The area where the body was found is out of sight from nearby residences, in a small depression on the east side of Glenville Road. It is near a small area adjoining the road where a car could park.

Residents and visitors to Glenville were shocked by the disturbing discovery, highly out of character for a town often tagged as one of the safest in the nation.

A grandmother from Port Chester, N.Y., who came to town for a workout class, wiped away tears after hearing the news that quickly consumed the sleepy neighborhood Tuesday.

“It’s tragic,” she said. “I have two granddaughters. I worry about this all the time.”

The killing, which involved the binding and constraining of a young woman, is an especially heinous example of violence against women, she said.

“It’s a national (problem) and it always has been,” she said. “It’s sickening.”

A 49-year-old Glenville woman, who took the same exercise class, was nearly speechless when she learned of the slaying.

“Oh my God, this feels surreal,” she said. “It’s not unbelievable, but it’s shocking that it happened right here.”

Steve Schacter, who has an office in Glenville, said that even though the killing may be a shock, the high-profile murder of Martha Moxley in 1975 shows that murder is possible anywhere, even in prosperous communities.

“Greenwich is such a great place, including this neighborhood, that when a murder occurs, it’s so out of the ordinary that it sends reporters out to ask people’s reactions,” he said outside of the neighborhood’s Stop & Shop supermarket.

Scott Chiappetta, who works at a preschool in the neighborhood, said, “My gut is it probably happened somewhere else, but these days, you never know. It’s very quiet. Nothing ever really happens around here, other than (traffic) from the firehouse. It feels safe.”

Berry said investigators had some information to work with.

“We have received some leads on a possible identification,” the police captain said. “One of our biggest concerns is trying to positively identify the victim, for notification of next of kin.”

He expressed condolences on behalf of the Police Department and said the investigation would be a thorough one.

“This is going to be a long methodical process, we want to make sure we do things correctly,” Berry said. “It’s going to take time.”

Glenville Road was closed after 9 a.m. and remained closed until 4:40 p.m. for the investigation. Sawhorses were set up with police cars also blocking the roadway. Officers were on the scene near Glenville Center as traffic was diverted at the Shell station. The road was blocked at the other end near Eagle Hill School.

Numerous residents and passersby expressed concern and curiosity about the police presence.

Liza Scullin, walking her dog Fletcher, said the discovery of a body in the quiet neighborhood was troubling.

“I feel like this neighborhood is relatively safe, so it’s a surprise. Finding a body near where you live, it’s concerning,” she said.

News trucks were parked on Glenville Road, and a police officer was kept busy blocking traffic and talking to motorists.

Due to the closure of the highly traveled road, the school district adjusted one bus route at the nearby Glenville School and one bus route for Greenwich High School. Three buses serving Brunswick, Greenwich Academy, Greenwich Country Day and Stanwich private schools also had routes change.

The district communicated the changes directly to the affected families from Greenwich High and Glenville, and the private schools communicated the changes directly to their impacted families.

Police asked anyone with information on the case to call 203-622-3333.