Police: Man found slain in Massapequa preserve identified

The man found slain two weeks ago in the Massapequa preserve was identified Wednesday by Nassau County police as a Valley Stream man.

The body of Julio Cesar Gonzales-Espantzay, 19, was found just before 2:10 p.m. on March 23 in the preserve, near Seaview and Ocean avenues, police said.

Homicide detectives subsequently solicited the public’s help in identifying him.

A man walking his dog discovered Gonzales-Espantzay in a heavily wooded area of the park. The dog was walking off-leash and led the man to the scene, police said.

The victim had several lacerations and blunt force trauma to his upper body and head — perhaps “from a large cutting instrument,” police said.

Police believe the body may have been there as long as three weeks.

The 432-acre park, officially named the Peter J. Schmitt Massapequa Preserve, straddles Sunrise Highway and contains bike and hiking trails.