Greenwich Homicide Victim Found In Suitcase Identified: Police

GREENWICH, CT — A 24-year-old New Rochelle woman has been identified as the homicide victim found on the side of Glenville Road in Greenwich on Tuesday morning, according to Greenwich Police Capt. Robert Berry.

"The victim has been identified, with the assistance of the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), as Valerie Reyes, 24, of New Rochelle, NY," Berry stated Thursday morning. "Valerie had been reported missing to the New Rochelle Police Department and was last seen on January 29th at about 9am. 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.

"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."

Reyes' body was found inside of a suitcase, 10 to 15 feet from the road just north of Stillman Lane. She was found at about 8:15 a.m. by a Greenwich highway worker, and police said she was clothed, and her hands and feet had been bound.

"The cause of death has not yet been confirmed by the OCME," said Berry. "Many pieces of possible physical evidence were collected and results from forensic analysis are pending."

Friends and relatives had taken to social media soon after Reyes' disappearance for help in finding her, and she was remembered as a sweet, gentle young woman, writes the Stamford Advocate.

Reyes' mother, Norma Sanchez, told the Rockland/Westchester Journal News that before she disappeared, her daughter had expressed fears that she may be murdered.

She was a 2012 graduate of New Rochelle High School and had been working at a Barnes & Noble in Eastchester at the time of her death. She was reported missing after not showing up for work, according to the Journal News.

In a related matter, a Greenwich Department of Public Works employee has been placed on paid administrative leave for taking photos of Reyes' body and the crime scene after she was discovered.

The employee's identity has not been released, but an investigation has been launched, in part because the employee may have shared the photos.

Authorities have been receiving tips about the incident, and are asking anyone with any information on Reyes and/or her disappearance to call the Greenwich Police Tip Line at (203) 622-3333 or email at Tips@greenwichct.org.

Photos of Valerie Reyes via Greenwich Police Department and Facebook

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