Authorities in Manhattan have launched an investigation after the body of a woman was found wrapped in a plastic bag on a sidewalk in the East Harlem neighborhood early Tuesday morning, sparking alarm among residents and renewed concern about safety in the area.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), officers responded to a 911 call around 6:15 a.m. near Park Avenue and East 124th Street, where sanitation workers discovered a large black bag emitting a strong odor. Upon inspection, officers confirmed it contained the body of an adult woman.
Detectives from the Manhattan North Homicide Squad and forensic specialists quickly sealed off the area with yellow crime scene tape. The sidewalk and nearby building entrances were closed for several hours as investigators searched for evidence and reviewed surveillance footage from surrounding cameras.
Police have not yet released the woman’s identity pending notification of her family. Early findings suggest she may have been deceased for several days before being placed at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy to determine the exact cause and time of death.
Local residents expressed shock and fear following the discovery. “It’s horrifying to think something like this could happen right outside your building,” said Maria Torres, a resident who has lived in East Harlem for over a decade. “We need more patrols and security cameras around here.”
Authorities have appealed to the public for information, urging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
City officials say the case underscores ongoing challenges with crime prevention and mental health outreach in parts of Manhattan that continue to experience sporadic violence and neglect.
As police work to identify the victim and the person or persons responsible, the East Harlem community remains on edge, waiting for answers in what investigators have described as a “disturbing and deliberate act.”
