New York

Woman's Torso, Leg, Arms Found in NYC Trash: Sources; Search Goes on in NJ

Police are searching trash in New Jersey as well in connection with the investigation

Authorities investigating the grisly discovery of a woman's torso and leg at a trash transfer station in the Bronx have uncovered more body parts. 

Workers first found the torso and leg of the unidentified woman in the trash at the Metropolitan Transfer Station on Halleck Street in Hunts Point shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday.

A worker at the Metropolitan Transfer Station said he was about to drop off a load of trash when he saw the remains.

"I only went in as far as where the pit is," said Elias Rodriguez. "I didn't want to disturb what is now a crime scene. And I saw the body, the body parts laying there. A torso and a leg without a foot." 

Garbage had been dropped off at the facility around midnight and then separated into five separate containers that police secured: three in The Bronx and two in Kearny, New Jersey, according to the NYPD.

Officials searched through the containers to try finding the woman's other body parts. By evening, they found a right arm and a left arm, both without hands, according to police sources. 

K9s helped sift for additional remains at first, and then 30 private carting trucks helped tip out loads of trash for sifting. That's how the arms were found, sources said. 

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine how the woman died. 

No arrests have been made. 

Rodriguez says he spent three years working as a paramedic and has seen gruesome sights before, but his co-workers are traumatized by what they witnessed.

One, he said, "looked a little flustered. This is something completely new to him. Obviously, he's in shock." 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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