Greenwich

Greenwich Police ID Woman Found Dead in Suitcase as New York Woman

Greenwich police have identified the woman as 24-year-old Valerie Reyes

What to Know

  • The body of a woman was found bound in a suitcase along Glenville Road in Greenwich Tuesday morning.
  • Police have identified the victim as 24-year-old Valerie Reyes. The New Rochelle, New York woman has been missing since Jan. 29.
  • Greenwich police are trying to determine who caused her death.

The woman who was found dead, bound in a suitcase along an affluent road in Greenwich Tuesday morning, had been missing from New Rochelle, New York since January, according to police.

Police have identified the woman as 24-year-old Valerie Reyes. The cause of her death is not yet known and police are trying to identify whoever is responsible.

Valerie Reyes
Greenwich Police
Greenwich Police released facebook photos of Valerie Reyes.

Greenwich highway workers discovered Reyes’ body along Glenville Road, just north of Stillman Lane, around 8:15 a.m., according to police.

“The victim was found bound at the hands and at the feet and the victim was found in a suitcase,” Capt. Robert Berry, from the Greenwich Police Detective Division, said.

Reyes had been reported missing to the New Rochelle Police Department and was last seen around 9 a.m. on Jan 29, according to police.

“Her family was advised of the positive identification last night. They are obviously devastated by the loss of Valerie and our heartfelt condolences go out to them,” a statement from police says.

Norma Sanchez, Reyes' mother, said her daughter was a vibrant, friendly person who struggled with mental illness, including anxiety and depression. Just days ago Val told her mom she was panicking, fearful someone was going to hurt her and went to the city. This had happened before and Val’s family was hopeful she was seeking psychological help.

“Val was pretty much looking for help. To help herself. Valerie, it would have been an easy way out for her to just do something to harm herself but she was strong enough to just leave and seek help in the city. We were hoping. We were hoping she was seeking therapy," Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that her daughter took bedsheets and towels from her New Rochelle apartment and went into the city. Her family believes she probably used the linens to stay at a hotel. She also withdrew a large sum of money from a bank near Radio City. Another large amount was withdrawn a few days later.

Sanchez said her daughter adored her family and did not have a history of running away and getting in trouble.

"A loving family that’s what I want people to understand. We are not a troubled family," Sanchez said.

“The Greenwich Police Department is dedicated to identifying those responsible for the death of Valerie and ensuring justice for her and her family. We continue to work with New Rochelle Police and other law enforcement agencies at multiple levels and have engaged a variety of resources to assist in the investigation,” Greenwich police said in a statement.

Police are asking the public for any information they might have about Valerie and her disappearance.

Information may be left at the Greenwich Police Tip Line at (203) 622-3333 and email at Tips@greenwichct.org.

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