Queens Mother Seeks Answers After Son’s Body Found Inside School Chimney

A 29-year-old man, later identified as Matthew Collado, was found dead inside a chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Glendale, Queens, on June 30 — weeks after he was reported missing. The discovery has left his family searching for answers as investigators continue to examine how Collado came to be inside the school chimney.

What Happened

Authorities say human remains were located inside the chimney after the public school had already closed for the summer. NYPD officers responding to the scene were told of "possible human remains" and confirmed there were no students or staff in the building at the time of the discovery.

Timeline

According to surveillance footage and family statements:

May 9: Collado was last seen leaving his Jamaica, Queens, apartment shortly after 3 a.m., according to WCBS surveillance footage.

The missing man's body was found inside a chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Glendale, Queens.Credit: Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty

May 13: Family members filed a missing persons report and began searching after finding Collado's apartment door propped open with the deadbolt and personal items, including his phone and wallet, left inside.

June 30: Human remains were discovered inside the chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 in Glendale. Weeks after the discovery, family members were informed the remains were those of Matthew Collado.

Family Reaction

“There’s a void in my gut,” Collado’s mother, Sophia Wood, told the New York Daily News. She described moving through her days in a daze and holding onto memories of her son, an aspiring rapper. "It was me, my daughter and my son. We were the power of three, and now we're missing one. It hurts us."

Investigation Status

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not released Collado's cause or manner of death; those determinations remain pending. The NYPD has confirmed an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Officials have not publicly detailed how Collado may have come to be inside the school chimney. Investigators are continuing to review evidence and interview potential witnesses. Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information to contact the NYPD.

Note: This report preserves the facts reported by media outlets and official statements while avoiding speculation as the investigation is ongoing.