Cold Case Tuesday: 1970 Death of Teen Found In Cortlandt

CORTLANDT, NY — New York State Police in Troop K continue to investigate the 1970 homicide of a 15-year-old whose body was found in Cortlandt. She was Alice Lezan of Franklin Township, New Jersey.

On Nov. 15, 1970, State Police found Lezan's body bound with rope and inside a red sleeping bag at the bottom of a 60-foot drop near Camp Smith, off Bear Mountain Road, in Cortlandt.

Her body had been first discovered that March by a boy walking in the woods, but his parents did not believe his story. The boy returned with friends on Nov. 15. The boy’s parents then contacted the State Police.

Lezan’s death was ruled a homicide and she was identified using dental records.

Lezan was last seen on Sept. 26, 1969, near a hotel on West 48th Street in New York City. Lezan was wearing gray and white pants with a purple shirt, and was with a man believed to have tried to lure her into prostitution.

Early in the investigation, other prostitutes told investigators the man stated Alice went home. It is not believed Alice was ever a prostitute.

Investigators from the State Police in Cortlandt continue to ask for the public’s assistance to solve this homicide and bring peace to Alice's family. If anyone has any information regarding this case, please call 845-677-7300.