Detectives searched The Borinquen Houses after workers opened a heavy plastic bag and found human remains.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — New York City police launched a homicide investigation Sunday after workers at a Williamsburg public housing complex opened a heavy bag in a basement corridor and found a woman’s remains cut into pieces, authorities said.
Officers responded to a 9:38 a.m. call at 330 Bushwick Ave., part of The Borinquen Houses, and cordoned off the lower level while evidence technicians entered with paper sacks and carts. Police said the victim appeared to be a woman in her fifties or sixties. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy and confirm the identity, a process that can include fingerprints, DNA or dental comparisons when a name is unknown. The discovery rattled residents and raised new questions about who could access the service doors and basement rooms on a weekend morning.
Janitorial staff first noticed the bag during a morning walkthrough and told supervisors it seemed unusually heavy. When workers looked inside, they immediately called 911, according to police. Neighbors reported seeing officers move large evidence bags from a silver maintenance door and block off the hallway with tape. “I saw everyone freeze, and then the police were everywhere,” said tenant Melissa Cruz, who watched from the courtyard. Detectives canvassed floors above the basement, knocked on doors and asked about overnight activity.
Police have not released the woman’s name, exact age or cause of death. Investigators are reviewing building cameras and nearby private systems for footage of anyone carrying bulky bags late Saturday or early Sunday. They are also checking entry logs, elevator data and work tickets for the maintenance areas. The medical examiner’s findings will address how the woman died and when, which could narrow the time window before the remains were placed in the basement. No arrests were announced by Sunday night, and officials did not say whether a specific suspect or vehicle was being sought.
The Borinquen Houses complex, located near Grand Street in Williamsburg, includes shared service corridors where contractors and staff regularly move supplies and trash. Similar cases have turned on surveillance video and delivery records to track movements into restricted areas. Residents said the basement sees more weekend traffic during routine cleanups. Police officers remained on scene into the evening, guarding the entry while detectives fanned out to stores along Bushwick Avenue to ask for receipts and video from the overnight hours.
Crime scene investigators documented the bag and surrounding area, collected swabs for lab testing and searched for cutting instruments or clothing. Brooklyn North Homicide has the lead. The next official updates are expected after the autopsy and any identification, which would allow police to make family notifications and release the victim’s name. Detectives are also comparing recent missing-person reports citywide for a possible match.
By late Sunday, the basement corridor had reopened but officers maintained a presence at the address while the medical examiner prepared an autopsy early this week. No arrests have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Author note: Last updated February 2, 2026.