Charred Remains Found in New York Storage Unit as Police Search for Missing Mom of Three
Police in New York say they discovered “charred and unidentifiable remains” in a Staten Island storage facility Thursday. The remains were discovered as police continue to search for missing mother of three Jeanine Cammarata.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, NYPD Assistant Chief William Aubry said the teacher was last seen Saturday night “alive in Queens.”
Cammarata never showed up on Monday to a Staten Island courtroom for a divorce hearing with her estranged husband Michael Cammarata, 42.
Michael has been in police custody since Tuesday, charged with unrelated assault and stalking, according to Aubry.
Aubry said the department began investigating Cammarata’s disappearance Tuesday. “[The detective] reaches out to family members and friends,” he said. “She is concerned at this point that there may be foul play involved.”
The medical examiner’s office is currently working to identify the remains as well as the cause of death.
“There is no one charged with this murder at this point,” said Aubry. “Right now, [Michael Cammarata] is being held on unrelated assault and stalking. With the discovery of these human remains, the investigation has taken a turn … into a murder investigation. So we’re working with the Staten Island District Attorney to establish probable cause and justification to charge him with murder.”
As of now, said Aubry, “It is an active investigation.”
“We have search warrants we continue to execute,” he said. “Witnesses to speak to. Video and electronic evidence to review. We are still looking for her 2017 white Chevy Cruze.”
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According to ABC7, investigators are in possession of surveillance video that allegedly shows Michael with a bag in hand walking out of his Queens apartment. The police also allegedly have video from the storage unit that appears to show him with the same bag.
Cammarata’s landlord Jose Perez told ABC7 that the missing woman had been concerned about her safety, alleging that she had experienced “harassment, following her in the car.”
“She was concerned about her safety. And I … said to her, ‘You better get this thing straightened out because you don’t want any problems.’ … She always texted me where she’s at or if something’s happening to her. But she has not.”
Her divorce attorney Eric Gansberg said Cammarata was “terrified” of her estranged husband, NBC 4 reports.
