Suffolk Homicide Squad Investigates After Manorville Body Identified as Kathleen Trent

Suffolk County Police on Feb. 16 identified the body found in a wooded area of Manorville as Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63, of Riverhead, and detectives from the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad say preliminary evidence indicates the death was criminal in nature. Homicide investigators are asking anyone with information to call 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

Suffolk County Police Seventh Precinct patrol units discovered the body around 3:21 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, while searching woods near Connecticut Avenue south of River Road in Manorville. The Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy; as the department put it, “The woman’s identity and cause of death will be determined during an autopsy by personnel from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.”

Trent’s family reported her missing to the Riverhead Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 29, when her son filed the missing-person report. Sources differ on the last confirmed sighting: the Riverhead News-Review reports Trent was last seen at her Forge Road home on Tuesday, Jan. 27, while another report listed Jan. 29 as the last-seen date. Police have not released further details about the missing-person report or the identity of the reporting family member.

Community members and coworkers at Riverhead Raceway mobilized to search and raise awareness after Trent disappeared. Local posts and missing-person flyers circulated widely on social media in the days before the discovery, and Riverhead Raceway colleagues told reporters that Trent had worked at the track for decades. Local reporting notes she served at the Raceway for more than 40 years and worked as a security guard.

Friends and family described Trent as generous and well liked. Kelly Turbush, identified as Trent’s godsister, said, “She didn't have a bad bone in her body. Anybody who knew her loved her, anybody. She came in contact would if they needed anything. If she could give, she would.” Friend Tanya Burriss said, “Oh, God, I was just destroyed. I was like, oh lord, you know, let everything be fine, because that's what we all wish, that everything is fine. We got to remember her as she was. She was a good person, a good, kind person.”

Police have not announced any arrests, suspects, or charges in connection with the investigation. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives continue to process evidence from the Manorville scene and await autopsy results that will determine cause of death. Detectives repeat their request that anyone with information contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.