Gruesome Discovery: Dismembered Woman Found in Brooklyn Public Housing Basement
WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn — A routine maintenance check at a public housing complex in Williamsburg turned into a scene of horror Sunday morning, as employees discovered the dismembered remains of a woman in a basement.
The grim find was made around 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 1 at the Borinquen Public Houses on Bushwick Avenue. According to sources, workers with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) were in the lower level when they encountered several unusually heavy bags. Upon opening one, they were met with a sight that has left them traumatized.
"They realized the bags were too heavy, so they opened one up," neighbor Vincent Valcassel recounted to local reporters. "The first thing they saw was the head staring at them. These people work in these buildings... they ain't going to be the same anymore."
NYPD Crime Scene Units descended on the location, cordoning off the area and focusing their investigation on the basement's incinerator room. Preliminary reports indicate the victim is believed to be a woman in her 50s or 60s. Her identity and official cause of death are pending confirmation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The discovery has ignited fear and anger among residents of the complex, which is managed by the financially strained and often criticized NYCHA. Many voiced concerns over building security and access to common areas.
"I'm scared out of my mind," said resident Aniel Riveyra. "I don't know if this is going to continue happening, or is this a one-time incident?" Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed profound dismay: "To take a lady and leave her like that... we are human beings, we are not trash."
The incident casts a stark light on the challenges facing New York's public housing system, where aging infrastructure and security gaps are perennial issues. It also marks a disturbing entry in the city's crime log for 2024, prompting a major investigation by the NYPD's Major Case Squad.
Community Reaction:
"This is absolutely devastating for our community. It's a failure on multiple levels—security, social services. We need answers and we need support for the residents who are now terrified in their own homes." — Maya Chen, local community board member.
"Where is the outrage? This happened in a city-funded building. This isn't just a crime; it's a symptom of the neglect that NYCHA residents have endured for decades. Heads should roll." — David "Ray" Foster, housing advocate and former resident, his tone sharp with anger.
"The trauma for those workers is unimaginable. My heart goes out to the victim's family and to everyone in that building. I hope the police catch whoever did this quickly." — Dr. Alisha Gibson, clinical psychologist specializing in community trauma.
The investigation is ongoing. The NYPD urges anyone with information to come forward.