Police Identify Body Found Behind Patchogue Church
PATCHOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Suffolk County police have identified a body that was discovered behind a church on Long Island Saturday.
An investigation is underway after police determined that Nicholas MacQueen, 65, had been a victim of violence. Police did not elaborate further on the investigation.
Police Identify Body Found Behind Patchogue Church
A soup kitchen worker made the gruesome discovery on Saturday.
Sunny Eng told WCBS 880 he was getting ready to open the soup kitchen at the Emanuel Lutheran Church and School located at 179 East Main St. in Patchogue when he went around back and discovered a body laying on the ground.
"So what I did was I just took a look around and when I turned the corner I saw someone laying down and I said OK, let me call 911," said Eng. "I did see some blood."
Eng said he was shaken up by the discovery.
"When you're shocked; I just took a step back," Eng said. "Seeing a person on the floor, that's upsetting."
MacQueen was homeless, was known to eat at the soup kitchen and often slept on church grounds, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office.
His death has officials taking a second look at security measures at the location.
"We maintain a very secure facility with having really just one access during the day that is locked and secured with intercom," Principal Denise Norman said. "Safety is a priority for us."
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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