MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) -- Homicide detectives on Long Island conceded Wednesday they have few clues to go on in the mysterious death of a college secretary found outside a vacant waterfront house more than a month after she was reported missing.
The body of the woman, identified as 60-year-old Irene Luetje, was found about five miles away from her home last Thursday in Massapequa, Nassau County Detective Lt. John Azzata told reporters. He appealed for the public's help in unraveling the mystery.
"Everything right now is a mystery to us," Azzata said. "What she would be doing there? Is it possible she succumbed to a serious illness at that point and was looking for help? That's a possibility. Right now, everything's a possibility. We do our best work when we have the public's input."
Azzata said police are awaiting toxicology test results from Luetje's autopsy, which could take several weeks. No signs of trauma were found on the woman's body, and her purse contained cash and her driver's license when she was found, police said.
He said Luetje, who worked at Farmingdale State College, was known by friends to take long walks. The distance from her home to where Luetje's body was found is about five miles. Azzata noted that Luetje was found wearing silver ballet slippers, which would be unusual footwear for someone taking a long hike.
She lived alone in an apartment in a private house in North Massapequa, police said. The owner of the home told police she last saw Luetje on Jan. 6, relatives filed a missing persons report on Jan. 12. Luetje's car was still parked in her driveway.
Her body was found on Valentine's Day lying under an overhang by contractors working in a neighborhood of homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The house where she was found was unoccupied, police said.
Her sister, Lorraine Hauser of Ronkonkoma, told Newsday that Luetje loved her job, her car and her grandniece. "These are all three things she would never walk away from," Hauser said.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:09:46 GMT
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million dollars for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery.
Powerball's estimated jackpot has soared to a record $600 million for Saturday's drawing because of brisk sales across the states involved in the lottery. The lump-sum cash value of the jackpot is an estimated $376.9 million.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:40 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:40:30 GMT
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York.
A proposal to build a major Long Island casino with video slot machines is part of closed-door negotiations to expand casino gambling in New York, according to the head of the Nassau County Off-Track Betting Corp. and a legislative bill.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 3:59 PM EDT2013-05-14 19:59:22 GMT
USDA photo
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island.
The tree-killing Asian longhorned beetle has been eradicated from Manhattan and Staten Island, but remains a problem in Brooklyn, Queens, and parts of Long Island, according to state agriculture officials.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to freeze Long Islanders' energy rates for three years as part of a proposal to end operating control of the Long Island Power Authority.
Monday, May 13 2013 8:03 AM EDT2013-05-13 12:03:24 GMT
A non-profit organization based in Rockaways, Long Beach and the Jersey Shore since November, hosted a "Gifts for Groms" event Saturday afternoon. The Gifts for Groms event took place at unsOund Surf
A non-profit organization based in Rockaways, Long Beach and the Jersey Shore since November, hosted a "Gifts for Groms" event Saturday afternoon. The Gifts for Groms event took place at unsOund Surf shop.
Monday, May 13 2013 6:57 AM EDT2013-05-13 10:57:44 GMT
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building.
Students and staff at Baldwin High School on Long Island are seeing tighter security at the school on Monday following a threatening message found scrawled inside the building. Investigators won't say was said in the message discovered over the weekend.
Sunday, May 12 2013 8:33 PM EDT2013-05-13 00:33:35 GMT
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
On this Mother's Day, a mom on Long Island knew something was wrong when she saw another mother in need. A mother riding home to Dix Hills after a Mother's Day dinner became an animal rescue worker.
Irene Luetje
