Missing Bronx Woman Found Dead In Washington Heights: Police

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A woman reported missing a week ago was found dead in Washington Heights this weekend, and her son has been named a person of interest in her disappearance.

The body of Joan Viau, 52, was found Saturday afternoon in a wooded area near West 187 Street and Chittenden Avenue, police told Patch. Viau was last seen on Monday, Jan. 23 at her home in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx, police said.

An investigation has revealed that Viau either fell, or was thrown, over a wall on Chittenden avenue overlooking the Hudson River Greenway, police told Patch. While investigating Viau's disappearance blood was found in her Bronx home and inside her car, police said.

Viau's adult son Joseph Garcia, 31, was arrested and charged with grand larceny after it was found he used Viau's credit cards after she was reported missing, police told Patch. Garcia is believed to be a person of interest in his mother's disappearance.

Lead photo courtesy of NYPD