Police report a probable identification of the human remains found by people clearing some woods in Patterson:
On Saturday morning, April 19, 2014, at approximately 9:15 am, local residents who were clearing a wooded area off of Maple Avenue in the Town of Patterson discovered what appeared to be human remains. They contacted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office who subsequently determined the remains may be related to a 2010 missing persons case being investigated by the New York State Police.
A search of the area by State Police K9 units, forensic personnel and other law enforcement members led to the discovery of a bicycle and identification associated with Gabriel Lopez-Duarte. Positive identification is pending DNA analysis.
In October 2010, State Police in Brewster received a report from a family member that Gabriel Lopez-Duarte, age 39, had left his Patterson residence on a bicycle and had not been seen since. A police investigation followed which covered multiple jurisdictions and many leads, however, the whereabouts of Lopez-Duarte remained unknown and the case remained active.
The cause of death is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact SP Brewster Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 279-8656.
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