A 75-year-old man from Queens has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of his wife after her remains were discovered in two different locations months apart, authorities said.
Rupchand Simboo faces charges including murder, tampering with physical evidence, and obstructing governmental administration.
The investigation began in September when sanitation workers made a troubling discovery while collecting trash near 149th Avenue and Brookville Boulevard. Inside a garbage bag, they found what appeared to be human remains. The city’s medical examiner later confirmed the remains belonged to 34-year-old Salisha Ali and determined her death was a homicide.
Several months later, another grim development emerged. Additional human remains were found in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Investigators have since identified those remains as also belonging to Ali, deepening the case against Simboo.
Authorities arrested Simboo on Wednesday morning. Officials have not yet released details about a possible motive, and the investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering and analyzing evidence.
Neighbors in the area expressed shock and sadness upon learning about the arrest.
“It’s unsettling to think something like this could happen so close to home,” one neighbor said, describing the atmosphere in the community as tense and somber.
Another resident offered condolences to the victim’s loved ones, saying their thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.
Police confirmed that the case is still under investigation.
