Body Found Bound, Stuffed In Suitcase, Left By Roadside In Greenwich ID'd As Missing New Rochelle Woman
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A vigil was held Thursday night for the woman who was found dead, tied up, and stuffed in a suitcase left on a roadside in Greenwich.
Greenwich Police said the victim was 24-year-old Valerie Reyes of New Rochelle. Her body was found with her hands and feet bound inside a suitcase on the shoulder of Glenville Road on Tuesday.
On January 29th Reyes didn't show up for work. Family checked her basement apartment on Colonial Place in New Rochelle and then notified police.
A missing poster spread on social media.
#MissingPerson Have you seen VALERIE REYES? 5' 3", black hair, brown eyes, 1/2 sleeve tattoo on left arm. Last seen wearing a green coat, black jeans, and black shoes. Suffers from anxiety and depression. pic.twitter.com/vxvXi40fiV
— NYPD Midtown North (@NYPDMTN) January 31, 2019
On Tuesday, there was a gruesome discovery 13 miles north, in Greenwich, Conn. A body, bound at the hands and ankles, stuffed inside a suitcase, left on the side of Glenville Road. Police confirmed it was Valerie Reyes Thursday morning.
"I was praying that wasn't her in the suitcase. I was praying that her family would have her back. She's the oldest sibling. What it is to lose your firstborn? I wouldn't be able to live with myself," said her neighbor Brenda DeGiacomo.
"Her family was advised of the positive identification last night. They are obviously devastated by the loss of Valerie, and our heartfelt condolences go out to them," said Greenwich Police Capt. Robert Berry.
Police are trying to reconstruct the victim's movements since January 29th. She may have spent time in Manhattan.
An autopsy on her remains is complete, but authorities have not released a cause of death.
Sources tell CBS2's Tony Aiello Reyes was feeling anxious after breaking up with a boyfriend.
"I've seen her argue with a guy before.... I was praying it was just a disagreement and she'll be back," DiGiacomo said.
"The Greenwich Police Department is dedicated to identifying those responsible for the death of Valerie and ensuring justice for her and her family," Berry said.
Reyes was a sales associate at Barnes & Noble, who said she was a "beloved employee" at its store in Eastchester.
"The entire Barnes & Noble community is grieving the loss of our beloved employee Valerie Reyes. She worked in our Barnes & Noble Eastchester store since it opened two-and-a-half years ago. Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time," the company said in a statement.
New Rochelle police say because the body was found in Greenwich, it's a Connecticut homicide case for now. If it's determined she was killed elsewhere, the lead agency may change.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Greenwich Police at (203) 622-3333. You can also email tips@greenwichct.org.