Nassau police say they've found human remains at the Massapequa Preserve in a slaying that's believed to be linked to MS-13.

Police and Nassau officials announced in a Saturday morning press conference that they had found the remains after returning to the preserve many times to search the area.

The body is being examined by the medical examiner. Police say they believe they know the victim's identity and are waiting for DNA evidence to positively identify the person.

Police say the body was badly decomposed and not fully intact. They believe it had been in the preserve for over two years.

"This war, if you will, took place in 2016 and 2017," says Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "We recovered close to 11 victims, almost all buried in shallow graves across Nassau County. We believe we recovered all victims that we that are part of our investigation."

Another body linked to MS-13 had been found at the preserve back in January of 2017. That's where investigators found the remains of 18-year-old Julio Espantzay-Gonzalez. Five reputed MS-13 members have been charged in Espantzay-Gonzalez's death.

Police say that investigation led them to believe there was a second body at the preserve, and say they returned many times to search. They say the body found Friday was about 100 feet away from Espantzay-Gonzalez's remains.

Police searched an area off of a path on Friday and discovered a depression in the ground, and K-9 units indicated that there could be something in the area. They excavated the area and uncovered the remains.

Nassau police add that their investigation has identified people they believe were involved in the case. They say they are working to bring charges.

Police say the parks are safe but urge parkgoers to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities.

 

 

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