Cops Identify Dead Woman
Written by Ronald Scaglia, Rscaglia@antonnews.com Friday, 01 March 2013 00:00
Questions remain about circumstances
surrounding death of woman found on Ocean Ave.
The body of a woman found Feb. 14 in an unoccupied home on Ocean Avenue has been identified as 60-yerar-old Irene Luetje, known to her family as Renee, according to Nassau County police.
Police responded to a call at 27 Ocean Avenue around noon and discovered the body. Det. Lt. John Azzata, commanding officer of the Nassau County homicide squad, reported that Luetje was found wearing a black jacket, black Capri pants, a black pullover shirt and silver shoes. Her purse, which contained money, was found with her, as was her driver’s license. What is not clear is how Luetje ended up more than five miles away from her apartment at 124 West Drive in North Massapequa, where her car was still located. The landlord of the home had a conversation with Luetje at 11 a.m. on January 6. Azzata said that is the last time Luetje was seen alive. Police are hoping someone may have spotted Luetje after Jan. 6 and will come forward.
“We’re looking for any and all answers because everything is a mystery to us,” said Azzata. “Right now everything is a possibility and that why were trying to enlist the public’s help.”
At press time, police do not have any evidence of criminality in the case, although they are waiting for the results of the autopsy as well as the toxicology results, which Azzata said could take up to six weeks. They have also not yet determined a cause of death, pending the results of the medical examiner’s report.
The detective said that friends and colleagues have told police that Luetje was known to take long walks and that the outfit she was found in was among her favorites. He added that Luetje had no prior contact with police and that she was only known to be taking medication to control hypertension. Luetje was reported missing by sister on January 12.
The identification of Luetje brought sadness to the campus of Farmingdale State College where she worked as an administrative assistant to the executive assistant to the president. Spokesperson Kathy Coley had high praise for Luetje.
“Irene was a valued member of the community and she will be missed,” said Coley. Coley said that Luetje’s final day of work was Dec. 21, the last day before the holiday recess. She was scheduled to return on Jan. 6, the last day that Luetje was seen alive. When she didn’t come to work, Coley said that university police went to her home, and that university officials have reached out to her family.
To honor her memory, Coley said that a poetry award would be renamed in her name. A multiple-cultural committee presents the award to students for their work.
Police are asking that anyone with information, please call 1-800-244-TIPS.
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Quietly Vindicated
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Health Insurance Crisis Still Here
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
