A Long Island teenager who vanished after a day trip to New York City was found dead in Brooklyn waters, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Background
The teen, identified as 16-year-old Sarah Martinez of Suffolk County, was last seen on Monday afternoon in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea after spending the day in the city with friends. Her family reported her missing when she failed to return home that evening.
Martinez had taken the Long Island Rail Road into Penn Station earlier that morning, meeting up with a group of friends for what was supposed to be a day of sightseeing and shopping in Manhattan. Witnesses told investigators the group separated around 3 p.m., with Martinez saying she wanted to visit a store in Chelsea before heading home.
Her family grew concerned when she did not answer phone calls or respond to text messages throughout the evening. They contacted Suffolk County Police the following morning.
The Investigation
Suffolk County Police, in coordination with the NYPD and the U.S. Coast Guard, launched an extensive search operation spanning both Long Island and New York City. Authorities released a photo of Martinez and asked the public for assistance in locating her.
On Wednesday morning, NYPD Harbor Unit officers recovered a body matching Martinez's description floating near the Brooklyn Bridge. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to positively identify the remains and determine the cause of death.
Investigators are currently treating the case as a homicide investigation, though no suspects have been named. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from Penn Station and the Chelsea neighborhood where Martinez was last seen alive.
Key Takeaways
- The teen was identified as 16-year-old Sarah Martinez of Suffolk County, Long Island
- She vanished Monday after a day trip to Manhattan with friends
- Her body was recovered Wednesday morning in Brooklyn waters near the Brooklyn Bridge
- NYPD Harbor Unit officers located the remains during a search operation
- The case is being investigated as a homicide; no suspects have been named
- The medical examiner is working to determine the cause of death
What's Next
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will work to positively identify the remains and determine the exact cause of death. Investigators are continuing to review surveillance footage and interview witnesses in an effort to reconstruct Martinez's movements after separating from her friends. The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine what happened to the teenager.