Posted on: October 05, 2026 06:00 AM

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Man believed to be homeless found dead in overgrown lot

A probe is in progress after the remains of a male, suspected to be homeless, were found in a lush, refuse-laden lot behind a wall decorated with graffiti along Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens.

Authorities indicated that the individual seemed to have passed away quite some time ago. The coroner will attempt to identify him and ascertain his cause of death.

In spite of earlier claims regarding burn marks on the man's body, the Medical Examiner's Office informed fire investigators on Friday that "there is no sign of burns on the deceased."

Officers arrived around 4:20 p.m. on Thursday following a 911 call that reported what seemed to be a corpse in the abandoned lot, as per sources. Crime scene detectives alongside arson specialists rushed to the location while authorities began inspecting the area.

The lot, overrun with weeds and filled with debris, has long been considered a nuisance by local residents and business operators. It has been a dumping ground for trash, and some individuals have been known to occasionally take shelter there.

"It’s been empty for three years now," mentioned Alieme Hussain, who works close by.

Forensic experts from the city’s medical examiner’s office spent several hours collecting evidence at the scene.

"I’m really taken aback. It caught me off guard," stated Mohammed Hossain, who owns a building nearby.

Residents noted that they have witnessed individuals sleeping and gathering in the lot in the past, but the arrival of investigators has raised alarms regarding a potential homicide inquiry.

"It’s truly shocking, I’m really astonished," Hossain expressed.

The lot was previously the scene of a fire on April 16. The FDNY extinguished the flames and contained them to the area.

Neighbors mentioned that the location has been largely overlooked despite receiving numerous complaints.