The dismembered remains of a woman believed to be in her 50s or 60s were found in a heavy bag in the incinerator room of The Borinquen Public Houses at 330 Bushwick Ave in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Feb. 1. NYCHA workers and a janitor discovered the bag at about 9:30 a.m. and alerted authorities after finding body parts. NYPD crime-scene teams photographed the scene and large bags were removed; the medical examiner will determine cause of death as police investigate. Neighbors expressed shock and concern about building security.
Dismembered Remains of Woman Found in Bag in Brooklyn Building Basement
NYPD investigators at the scene where human remains of a woman are found in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 1, 2026Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Human remains believed to be those of a woman in her 50s or 60s were discovered in the basement of a Brooklyn public-housing building on Sunday, Feb. 1, according to local media and law-enforcement reports.
What Happened
NYCHA employees and a janitor working in the lower level of The Borinquen Public Houses at 330 Bushwick Avenue in Williamsburg found a heavy bag in the building's incinerator room at about 9:30 a.m. When workers opened the bag, they discovered dismembered human remains, officials and witnesses reported.
NYPD crime scene unit investigators working outside 330 Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 1, 2026Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
At The Scene
NYPD crime-scene units were photographed documenting trash bags in the incinerator room, and large bags were later removed from the building, witnesses told local outlets. Neighbors described shock and fear after the discovery and expressed concern about access to the basement and building security.
“The workers realized the bags were too heavy, so they opened it up and the first thing they saw was the head,” neighbor Vincent Valcassel told WABC, adding that the sight left workers shaken.
Investigation Underway
Officials believe the remains belong to a woman in her 50s or 60s. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death, and police continue to investigate. Representatives from the New York Police Department and the New York City Housing Authority were contacted for comment but had not immediately responded to requests, according to reports.
Police outside 330 Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 1, 2026Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Community Reaction
Residents described alarm and distress that a person could be left in a bag inside the building. Several neighbors questioned how easily people can access the basement and called for improved security and transparency as the inquiry continues.
Note: This report is based on media and law-enforcement statements. Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased while the investigation and identification are pending.
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