Body found in suitcase in Connecticut ID'd as missing New York woman Valerie Reyes

GREENWICH, Connecticut -- Police have identified a woman whose body was found in a suitcase along a roadway in Connecticut as a missing person from New York.

The medical examiner was able to positively identify the remains as 24-year-old Valerie Reyes, of New Rochelle.

"Valerie had been reported missing to the New Rochelle Police Department and was last seen on January 29 at about 9 a.m.," Greenwich Police Captain Robert Berry said. "Her family was advised of the positive identification last night. They are obviously devastated by the loss of Valerie and our heartfelt condolences go out to them. The Greenwich Police Department is dedicated to identifying those responsible for the death of Valerie and ensuring justice for her and her family."

Her body was found Tuesday in a wooded area on the side of the road in Greenwich. Police say she was bound at the hands and feet.

Her cause of death is not yet known, although authorities say many pieces of evidence were recovered.

"It's heartbreaking," neighbor Brenda de Giacomo said. "I can't believe someone hurt her. She's innocent. She's amazing. She's amazing to the kids on the block. She was a sweetheart. I can't understand how someone could hurt someone like that."

Police do not yet know where the murder took place and are in the midst of an active and methodical investigation.

"She could have been murdered across the street," de Giacomo said. "You don't want your kids outside. You don't know what's going on. And for them not to identify anybody or find anything makes it even more worse or scary."

According to published reports, the town highway worker who made the discovery took inappropriate pictures of the victim and sent them to other people.

That worker is now under investigation.