Police have identified the skeletal human remains that were found in a wooded area off of the Southern State Parkway.

State police say they received a report about remains Monday afternoon. They responded to an area on the eastbound side of the parkway near Exit 15 south.

After several hours of investigation, police identified the remains as that of Steven Roque, 65, of Franklin Square. Authorities believe the body had been there for about six months.

Some residents in the neighborhood near Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital say they are concerned it may be linked with gang activity.

"It's not something people want to hear who have children in the area. There's a lot of young children who live here and live in the neighborhood so close to this. I have heard there's gang activity in the area so I wouldn't be surprised," says Sandra Gettenberg, of Valley Stream.

State police are asking anyone with information on the case to call their headquarters at 516-756-3300.