Prosecutors: Man dismembered corpse of missing Patchogue woman
During an investigation, detectives found an ax allegedly used to dismember the remains and other evidence from Gary Cowell's home.
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A man accused of dismembering the corpse of a 56-year-old Patchogue woman was indicted on Monday.
Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue pleaded not guilty to charges of concealment of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Prosecutors say Suffolk County police were told on June 18 that the woman was missing and had not been seen since June 13 and that Cowell was the last person to see her alive.
During an investigation, detectives found an ax allegedly used to dismember the remains and other evidence from Cowell's home. Cowell was interviewed by detectives, admitted to cutting up the body and then showed police where he put the remains.
The family of Yvette Leonard organized search parties looking for her after she was last seen leaving a friend's home on June 13. Her family was in court for Cowell's first arraignment in June and applauded when a judge set his bond at $1 million cash.
A medical examiner has not yet determined a cause of death.
Cowell is due back in court on July 25.
