NY Detective Hopes Your Clues Can Solve Cold Case

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On June 18, 1997, a hiker discovered the remains of an African American female in Hempstead Lake State Park.

For 10 years, Detective William Brosnan has been haunted by one case. A case that has left an indelible impression on him and a case that remains one of the Nassau County Homicide Squad's few unsolved cases.

On June 28, 1997, a hiker discovered a woman's remains in Hempstead Lake State Park. When police arrived on scene, they found the torso of an African American female stuffed into a green Rubbermaid container. The dismembered body had been decapitated and the woman's arms and legs were severed. With little to go on, Detective Brosnan hoped the autopsy would provide more clues about the unidentified woman.

Crucial Clues Revealed

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The torso was stuffed inside this generic Rubbermaid container.

Inside the Rubbermaid container, detectives recovered a floral pillowcase and reddish colored towel. The medical examiner learned the remains had been in the park for no more than 3 days and that the woman was 16-30 years old. Officials determed the woman had also given birth at some point before she was murdered. The autopsy revealed another crucial clue - a tattoo of a peach in the shape of a heart with a bite taken out of it located on the torso's left breast.

Tattoo Leads Cops To Connecticut

By releasing a picture of the tattoo, detectives got the call the were hoping for. A tattoo artist from Bristol, Connecticut recognized his work and called police. However, the artist couldn't remember much about the customer. He did say he believed the woman was a light skinned African American 19-23 years old. He also believed she was from New York and just in Connecticut visiting friends.

Although the lead went no where, Detective Brosnan is hoping your clues will help him solve a decade old cold case.

Serial Killer On The Loose?

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This peach tattoo may lead to the woman's identity or to the identity of her killer.

Six years after the torso was found in Lake Hempstead State Park in Nassau County, NY, the body of a woman was discovered in Suffolk County, NY. In July of 2003, police were called to a remote area where the limbless and headless body of a young white woman was found. She had a partially obliterated tattoo above her left hip. Armed with this crucial piece of evidence, police were able to identify the woman as 20-year-old Jessica Taylor.

On March 3, 2007, a female torso stuffed inside a suitcase washed ashore in Mamaroneck, NY. The legs of the victim were recovered in Long Island weeks later. Inside the suitcase, police found purple color Champion sweatpants, a reddish colored camisole, an off-white longsleeved t-shirt made by Voice and scraps of what looks like a calendar. The torso also had a tattoo of two cherries above the right breast.

Although police don't believe the three women were killed by the same person, they are looking into the possibility. For now, police need your help to find justice.

Wanted For:

• Murder , New York ; Jun 28, 1997

(Information valid as of May 23, 2007)

Associated Persons:

Unknown Butcher of Mamaroneck, N.Y.
In March of 2003, a suitcase washed up on the harbor beach of Mamaroneck, NY.
Fugitive
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Unknown Jessica Taylor Killer
The headless, handless body of a young woman was discovered in Manorville, NY in July of 2003.
Fugitive
»More information

AMW Radio:

• »May 28 2007