Man Indicted for Allegedly Dismembering Woman's Body on Long Island

A 72-year-old Long Island man has been indicted on charges of unlawfully concealing a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence after he allegedly dismembered the body of a 56-year-old woman and scattered her remains across three locations.

A Long Island man has been indicted for allegedly dismembering the body of a woman and scattering her remains across three locations in Patchogue.

Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue, was indicted on Monday for unlawful concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.

Man Indicted for Allegedly Dismembering Woman's Body on Long Island

The charges stem from the alleged dismemberment of a 56-year-old woman from Patchogue, whose body was discovered on June 18, 2024.

According to the investigation, Cowell was allegedly the last person to see the woman alive on June 13, 2024. After the woman went missing, detectives interviewed Cowell, who allegedly accompanied them to the locations where the dismembered remains were found.

Man Indicted for Allegedly Dismembering Woman's Body on Long Island

Detectives recovered an axe allegedly used to dismember the victim, as well as other evidence from Cowell's Patchogue residence.

A medical examiner has not yet issued a cause of death.

Man Indicted for Allegedly Dismembering Woman's Body on Long Island

Cowell is currently being held on a $1 million cash bond and is due back in court on July 25, 2024.

"This defendant has been indicted on charges related to the alleged dismemberment of a deceased individual," District Attorney Tierney said. "I commend the Suffolk County Police detectives for swiftly locating the victim’s remains. The investigation as to cause of death continues. We want to assure the victim’s family and the public that we are committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal process."

The investigation into the woman's death is ongoing.

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