A New York man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder after his 65-year-old roommate’s torso was found inside a suitcase floating in the East River earlier this month.
On the evening of February 5, the NYPD Harbor Unit recovered a suitcase from the East River near Governor’s Island. Upon inspection, officers discovered a human torso inside, according to an official statement from the NYPD. The remains were later identified as those of Edwin Echevarria, 65.
Following this discovery, detectives brought in Echevarria’s roommate, Christian Millet, 23, for questioning. Millet lived with Echevarria on Columbia Street in the Lower East Side. After being interrogated, Millet was arrested on February 12 at approximately 9 p.m. and formally charged with second-degree murder.
According to law enforcement sources, Millet allegedly confessed to the crime, stating that he killed Echevarria by pushing him to the ground and stomping on his head. After the fatal assault, he allegedly dismembered the victim’s body and placed the torso inside a suitcase, which was later disposed of in the river. However, no other body parts have been located.
The suitcase was first spotted floating in the water by the captain of the NY Waterway ferry boat Susan B. Anthony. The captain immediately alerted authorities, leading to the recovery of the suitcase. Upon opening it, officers found the torso zipped inside a sleeping bag, as reported by ABC News.
The NYPD has not yet publicly identified a motive for the crime. The investigation remains ongoing.
