Report: Body found in woods ID'd as missing N.Y. mother

MEDFORD, N.Y. - The body of a woman found in a wooded area on Long Island has been identified as a missing 21-year-old mother, reports CBS New York.

"Tragically... we're here to confirm that the body found in the woods in [Medford, N.Y.,] on June 12 is that of Sarah Goode," said Suffolk County Homicide Detective Lt. Kevin Beyrer on Saturday.

Goode had not been seen since the night of June 6, when she left a friend's house after and never made it home, according to the station. She was the mother of a 4-year-old girl. Friends and family said it was out of character for her to go missing.

Goode's abandoned BMW was found just a mile from her home on June 7. Sources told CBS New York there were signs of struggle and what appeared to be blood inside the vehicle.

Last Thursday, a search party made up of the victim's loved ones discovered a woman's body in the woods, within a mile of where Goode's car was found.

An acquaintance of the victim, identified only as Joe, told the station the neighborhood nearby where the body was found is buzzing with speculation. "There's been a lot of rumors of reasons why people would want to do this.... I trust that the cops will do their job and bring whoever it was to justice," he said.

"We've investigating all aspects," said Beyrer. "It's very early in the investigation. We have received some tips."

Police on Saturday refused to comment further on the ongoing investigation. It is unclear whether authorities have ruled Goode's death a homicide. CBS New York reports the medical examiner's office is set to conduct an examination to determine the victim's cause of death.