Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63, of 61 Forge Road in Riverhead, has been identified as the woman whose body was discovered in a wooded area in Manorville earlier this month, Suffolk County police said.
Trent had been reported missing to the Riverhead Town Police Department on January 29.
Nearly two weeks later, Seventh Precinct patrol officers located the body of an adult female in a wooded area on Connecticut Avenue, south of River Road, in Manorville.
Authorities on Tuesday confirmed that the remains were those of Trent.
In the days after she was reported missing, Trent’s disappearance drew an outpouring of concern on social media, particularly among her former classmates.
Deborah Kruel Rupy posted in a Riverhead High School Class of 1981 Facebook group: “One of our classmates is missing. This is Kathi Harrison Trent, she’s been missing since Wednesday. A great lady with a great smile. Praying for you Kathi.”
The identification was made as part of an ongoing investigation by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.
Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
The cause of death has not yet been determined and will be established following an autopsy by the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. Police said that, based on a preliminary investigation, detectives believe the death to be criminal in nature.
Officials have not released additional information regarding how Trent may have died or how long her body had been in the wooded area prior to its discovery. It also remains unclear how she traveled from her Riverhead home to the Manorville location where she was found.
Police are asking members of the public to come forward with any information that could assist investigators. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives can be contacted at 631-852-6392. Anonymous tips may be provided through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities said updates will be provided as more information becomes available.