A Long Island man was indicted on Monday for the dismemberment of a 56-year-old woman from Patchogue. Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue, was charged with unlawful concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
A Long Island man has been indicted for allegedly dismembering the body of a woman and discarding the remains across three locations in Patchogue. Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue, was indicted on Monday, announced Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
According to the investigation, on June 18, 2024, law enforcement was alerted that a 56-year-old woman from Patchogue was missing and had not been seen since June 13, 2024. Suffolk County Police Department detectives interviewed Cowell, who was allegedly the last person to see the woman alive.
Long Island Man Indicted for Dismembering Body of Patchogue Woman
Following the interview, Cowell went with detectives to three separate locations in Patchogue where the dismembered remains were recovered. Detectives also allegedly recovered an axe from Cowell's Patchogue residence, believed to be the weapon used in the dismemberment.
Cowell was charged with unlawful concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on a $1 million cash bond. He is due back in court on July 25, 2024.
Long Island Man Indicted for Dismembering Body of Patchogue Woman
The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing, and the medical examiner's report is pending. The identity of the victim has not yet been released by the Suffolk County Police Department.
District Attorney Tierney expressed his commitment to pursuing justice for the victim and her family: "We want to assure the victim's family and the public that we are committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal process. The investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to work diligently to uncover the full scope of this tragic incident."
Long Island Man Indicted for Dismembering Body of Patchogue Woman
The unlawful concealment of a human corpse is a Class C felony in the State of New York, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Tampering with physical evidence is a Class E felony, punishable by up to four years in prison.
