Police: Medical Examiner Identifies Body Found On Long Island As Missing Medford Mother

MEDFORD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The body of a woman found in a wooded area in Medford, Long Island earlier this week has been identified by the medical examiner's office as missing Medford mother Sarah Goode, Suffolk County police said Saturday.

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

Goode, 21, was last seen on June 6 at a friend's house in Shirley. She was the mother a 4-year-old girl, and family and friends said it was completely out of character for her to go missing.

On Thursday, police said a woman's body was discovered within a mile of where the young mother's abandoned BMW was found last Sunday.

Suffolk County police received a 911 call at 6:17 p.m. about a woman's body in the woods off Camden Court in Medford. The body was recovered a short time afterward, police said.

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

The body was found by a search party made up of Goode's friends and family, 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria previously reported. Police said there were about 40 to 45 people in the search.

Sources said there were apparent signs of a struggle inside her car. One witness also said there appeared to be blood in Goode's vehicle.

Joe, who said he knew Goode, told 1010 WINS' Gary Baumgarten the neighborhood is buzzing with speculation as to what happened.

"There's been a lot of rumors of reasons why people would want to do this. But I mean, I have no idea. I trust that the cops will do their job and bring whoever it was to justice," he said.

The medical examiner's office will conduct an examination to determine Goode's cause of death.

Police on Saturday would not comment on the ongoing investigation.

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