Police Investigate 'Suspicious' Death After Young Man's Body Found In Popular Massapequa Park
MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Nassau County are investigating what they call a "suspicious" death after a man walking his dog found the body of a young man in a popular Massapequa park.
The still unidentified body was found just after 2 p.m. Thursday in the Peter Schmitt Massapequa Preserve near Seaview Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
Sources told CBS2 the victim is a teen or in his early 20s, with obvious signs of a violent death.
"While walking a dog, a resident of the area discovered the body of a younger male which was lying in the woods," said Nassau County Police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick.
Responding to the gruesome discovery, Nassau County homicide detectives filled the park, carting in off-road vehicles to search the densely wooded area. The park's 432 acres are open for anyone to come and go.
"There's multiple accesses to the preserve," Fitzpatrick said. "People normally use it to walk and run."
Now, police are trying to find out what happened to the young man as the Medical Examiner works to determine the exact cause of death.
"The circumstances surrounding this body appears suspicious at this time," Fitzpatrick said. "Pending the autopsy and the ME's report, it will determine the cause of death."
Suffolk County police are also assisting in the investigation.
Police have extended the perimeter of the crime scene as the investigation continues and have turned parkgoers away.
When asked whether this incident will stop him from coming to the preserve, one regular on the trail said "no."
"I've been coming here since I was a tiny little tyke," park goer Gary Buckley said.
"I used to go walking in this park at night, and I don't do that anymore," another man said.
Those who live on the perimeter of the park are anxious for the "all clear" before they'll return.
"I feel safe before but after yesterday they found a dead body I'm scared I don't want to go in the woods anymore," resident Mei Chingson said.
This is yet another scare for park goers, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported. Last October, female joggers were frightened by multiple reports of a male flasher.
Nassau County legislator James Kennedy encouraged people who use the preserve to download the Nassau County Crime Stopper app to be able to text in tips to help police keep the space safe.
"People are in here all the time when the weather's nice, thousands of people are in here every day," he said.
"I feel terrible for the family," he added. "I don't even know who this person is yet."
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
