Man Indicted for Dismembering Woman's Body in Patchogue

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

Gary Cowell, 72, of Patchogue, was indicted on charges of unlawful concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. The victim was a 56-year-old woman from Patchogue.

"This defendant has been indicted on charges related to the alleged dismemberment of a deceased individual," said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. "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."

According to the investigation, law enforcement was alerted on June 18, 2024, that a woman was missing and had not been seen since June 13, 2024. Detectives interviewed Cowell, who was allegedly the last person to see the woman alive.

Following the interview, Cowell went with detectives who located the dismembered remains. Detectives allegedly recovered an axe used to dismember the victim, as well as other evidence from Cowell’s Patchogue residence.

The investigation is ongoing, and the medical examiner has not yet issued a cause of death.

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