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The gruesome discovery was made in East Patchogue, along Montauk Highway near County Road 101, on Thursday afternoon, June 27.
Suffolk County Police homicide detectives later arrested Garry Cowell, age 72, of Patchogue, on suspicion of tampering with physical evidence and concealing a human corpse.
On Monday, July 8, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced that Cowell had been formally indicted for allegedly dismembering the body of a 56-year-old Patchogue woman.
According to investigators, police were notified on Tuesday, June 18, that the woman had been missing since Thursday, June 13. Detectives interviewed Cowell, who was allegedly the last person to see the woman alive.
Following the interview, Cowell accompanied detectives who found the woman’s dismembered remains scattered in three different locations along Montauk Highway.
Investigators also located an axe that they believe Cowell used to dismember the victim, along with additional evidence from his Patchogue home, prosecutors said.
“I commend the Suffolk County Police detectives for swiftly locating the victim’s remains,” said Suffolk County DA Raymond Tierney. “We want to assure the victim’s family and the public that we are committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal process.”
The victim’s identity and cause of death had not been made public as of Monday, July 8.
Cowell was being held at the Suffolk County jail on a $2 million bond. He is scheduled to appear back in court on Thursday, July 25.
This continues to be a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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