Police: Woman Found Dead In Merrick Cottage; Death Deemed Suspicious

MERRICK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The death of a woman whose body was found in a cottage on Long Island has been deemed suspicious, police said.

Homicide detectives were called to the cottage behind a home on Smith Street in Merrick around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

When detectives arrived, they found the victim tied up and dead, 1010 WINS reported.

Authorities identified the woman as 48-year-old Suzanne Goldfarb. They said her cause of death was asphyxiation.

Goldfarb's body was found in her bed by her father after he could not reach her, police told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. The victim's hands and feet had been tied together, authorities said.

"From what I gather, she was tied up and strangled in the most horrific way," a tenant in the main house told 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera. "She's the sweetest woman. I couldn't even speculate who would want to kill her."

Nassau County police Chief Kevin Smith said nothing was taken from the home.

"We're going to explore every possibility that this person responsible may have been granted entry into the house, that he may have had access, possibly a key, and that possibly this person is known to our victim."

Goldfarb lived alone and worked as a nanny for a local family, the tenant said. She lived in the cottage for about five years.

"This isn't what normally happens around Merrick," a man who owns a nearby deli told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall. "I mean, she was a very nice lady. She came in all the time, and there would be no inkling of something like this. She didn't run with a bad crowd. Total surprise."

As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported, neighbors said that her parents became worried after Goldfarb turned down a dinner invitation, and came to her home to make the devastating discovery.

"It kills me, they found her, the mother and father found her," Jack Accardi said.

Goldfarb was a well liked regular at a deli across the street. She worked as a nanny and picked up dinner daily.

"There would be no inkling of anything like this, she didn't run with a bad crowd, total surprise," Doug Gerber said.

No arrests have been made. Police are working off of a theory that she knew her killer and granted access or that the perpetrator had a key.

The neighborhood doesn't have a history of violent crime.

Detectives ask anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.