Man, Woman Found Dead Inside Burning Car At LI Mall Parking Garage, Police Say
VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County police say a second victim has been discovered inside a car that was burning at a mall parking garage in Valley Stream.
Nassau County police said officers responded to the car fire in the Sears parking garage at the Green Acres Mall just after 11 p.m. Sunday.
Initially, investigators said only one body was found in the vehicle after the fire was put out, but police said later Monday morning that the body of a second person had been discovered inside.
The Nassau County Medical Examiner's Office has determined that the victims were both female. There's no apparent criminality in connection to their deaths at this time, according to police.
Residents like Cecilia Tamayo, who lives nearby the sprawling Green Acres Mall complex, were stunned hearing the news and was awoken by the sound of the emergency responders.
"I was so worried when I hear the helicopter last night and this morning," Tamayo told CBS2's Janelle Burrell.
Detectives spent the overnight hours collecting what evidence they could. Monday morning, the parking garage was being closely guarded by mall security.
With so many unanswered questions, many people are admittedly tense and uneasy.
"Safe area, good area, nice quite area," said resident Jazz Khan. "Not a lot of crime at all."
Detectives say the car was so badly burned, it's making their investigation that much more difficult.
Anyone with information is asked to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
