Woman Found Dead With Throat Slashed on NYC Bench

Sources say there was no knife found at the scene, and the woman's death does not appear to be a suicide

A 51-year-old woman was found dead on a Brooklyn bench with her throat slashed Thursday morning, police said. 

Police responded to a call of a past assault on Ninth and Henry streets in Red Hook at about 4:30 a.m. and found the body of Sharon Whigham of Brooklyn. 

Fire officials also responded and pronounced the woman dead at the scene, authorities said. 

There was no knife found at the scene, law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York.

Whigham's family declined to comment on Whigham's death to NBC 4 New York. She had been arrested on felony drug charges a few months ago, but it's not clear if they played a role in her death. 

Family friend Damian Scott said the family is grieving.

"It's tough, it's tough," he said. "They're still definitely in shock. Grieving. And it's a big family. A lot of family members and they've been in Red Hook for years."

Residents, meanwhile, said they were shocked by the violence.

"Sometimes I sit on that bench," said Nereida Gomez. "I get scared. I sit on that bench every day."

No arrests have been made in the case, which is being investigated as a homicide.

Anyone with information about the death should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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