EAST HARLEM, New York (WABC) — New York City police are investigating a gruesome discovery after a woman’s body was found stuffed in a bag on a sidewalk in East Harlem.
A cleaner found the body Monday around 6:30 p.m. at East 124th Street and Park Avenue under a pile of cardboard boxes and pallets.
They said they clean the plaza every day, so if it was left there before Monday night, they would have found it.
Police have not released the victim’s identity, but people in the area believe they know who it is.
Madeline Sosa is a hospital worker who works at a drug clinic nearby. She said she saw the victim Monday morning and she had been living on the street for about a year.
She described her as someone who was trying to get her life turned around but was struggling.
Police say the victim appears to be in her 20s and she was found naked with trauma to her head.
“She was a sweetheart, very loving, caring young lady,” Sosa said. “Had a story, had her situation. She was living in the streets for about a year now, going on a year, this winter will be a year.”
Sosa said she used to bring her food, clothing and blankets from her own and offer her services to get into a program to help.
“And she would always say one day, one day, and that I was her guardian angel, thank you,” Sosa said.
Police have not released the victim’s identity.
The Medical Examiner will determine her cause of death.
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