A human skull and other bones found in a suitcase by children playing in Forest Park on March 4 could be those of a Woodhaven mother missing since June 2007, police sources said.
Police said the children were playing near Forest Parkway and Park Lane South around 4:30 p.m. when they found the suitcase tucked behind some bushes adjacent to a concrete trail in the Woodhaven park.
Police sources said the children "got excited", thinking the suitcase might be filled with money. So they dragged the blue, wheeled suitcase to an open area where they opened it and made the disturbing discovery.
Investigators believe the suitcase might have been dumped at the site days or weeks ago. Police also found some clothing in the suitcase, but nothing that would help them to identify the bones.
Police were trying to contact Edwin Fuentes, whose wife, Reyna De Los Santos, disappeared in June 2007, for questioning. Investigators believe the bones could be the remains of the Woodhaven mother of two and turned over a copy of De Los Santos' dental records to the city Medical Examiner's office for use in identifying the bones.
A spokesperson for the Medical Examiner's office said officials are using the records and conducting an examination to determine the identity of the remains. Detectives are hoping someone spotted the individual(s) who dumped the suitcase in the park.
Police are urging anyone with information regarding the suitcase to call the Crimestoppers Hotline at 1-577-TIPS.- Liz Goff
