Officials: Bodies in brush fire were stabbed, shot
Investigators scope out a crime scene next to 78th Street in Howard Beach, Queens, after New York City firefighters found two bodies while responding to a brush fire early Wednesday morning. (March 6, 2013) Credit: Charles Eckert
Two Brooklyn men whose bodies were found early Thursday within a brush fire in Howard Beach had been stabbed and shot, the city medical examiner said Friday.
Rudy Superville, 22, suffered stab wounds to the neck and torso while Gary Lopez, 25, had gunshot wounds to his torso, an official said. The bodies of both men were found about 4:25 a.m. Thursday after firefighters put out a brush fire in an undeveloped area known as Spring Creek Park, near 159th Avenue and 78th Street.
NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said Thursday that it appeared the men had been killed elsewhere, their bodies placed in trash bags and then dumped in the park area that is just south of the Belt Parkway and west of Howard Beach. Melting of the plastic bags in the fire created the impression the men were bound but that later was discounted, police said.
A police spokesman wouldn't comment when asked about a possible motive. One law enforcement official believed a personal vendetta, as opposed to drug violence, might be behind the killings. Lopez lived in the Bushwick section while Superville was from Brownsville, police said. Their bodies were found a little more than 3 miles from their homes.
Based on images from a security camera video, police are looking for three cars seen speeding in close succession away from the vicinity of the crime scene shortly before the fire was discovered.
'We have to do better' Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra talks about a bench-clearing, parent-involved incident at a Half Hollow Hills West basketball game.
'We have to do better' Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra talks about a bench-clearing, parent-involved incident at a Half Hollow Hills West basketball game.
