YONKERS, NY — Early on August 5, the Yonkers Police Department was called to the vicinity of the Oak Street bridge, near the jurisdictional boundary with Mount Vernon, following reports of a body found under disturbing circumstances.
Initially reported as a fire near the bridge, first responders from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety and the Mount Vernon Fire Department arrived to extinguish the flames.
They discovered a lifeless body on the sidewalk, prompting an immediate police response.
Upon arrival, Yonkers Police found that the body had been placed in a shopping cart and set ablaze. Given the location of the discovery, Yonkers Police have taken the lead on the investigation, with detectives from their Major Case Squad and Crime Scene Unit processing the scene throughout the morning.
Contrary to early media reports, the condition of the victim’s body, including whether it was dismembered, remains unconfirmed due to the damage caused by the fire.
The exact cause of death and potential injuries will be determined by the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s Office in collaboration with ongoing police investigations.