LI Man Indicted After Dismembering Woman, Hiding Remains: DA

PATCHOGUE, NY — A Patchogue man, 72, was indicted Monday after he reportedly dismembered the corpse of a woman, 56, with an axe and discarded her remains in three separate Patchogue locations, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Gary Cowell, 72, was arraigned Monday before Acting Supreme Court Justice, Anthony S. Senft, Jr., on charges including unlawful concealment of a human corpse, a felony; and tampering with physical evidence, a felony, Tierney said.

According to the investigation, on June 18, law enforcement was alerted that the woman was missing and had not been seen since June 13, Tierney said. Detectives interviewed Cowell, who was reportedly the last person to see the woman alive, the DA said.

Following the interview, Cowell went with detectives, who located the dismembered remains; detectives also recovered an axe used to dismember the victim, as well as other evidence, from Cowell’s Patchogue residence, the DA said.

The investigation is continuing, and the medical examiner has not yet issued a cause of death, the DA said.

Although the DA's office said that they are not confirming the woman's identity, Newsday reported that the woman found was Yvette Leonard of Patchogue.

Leonard's disappearance sparked a frantic search, with her son Malyk Leonard leading the charge to help find his mother and crying out for an amped up police investigation into her disappearance. Friends, family and supporters gathered on June 24 at Leonard's home for a vigil in solidarity before a press conference aimed at shining attention on her disappearance.

"Over the past few days, many have been sending prayers and asking how you can support," her son wrote on social media at the time. "I am asking for as many of you as possible to come support during this press conference taking place tomorrow. This is one of our only opportunities to show the larger community that we are united in support of finding my mother; need the police to ramp up their efforts to finding my mother; and need the media to support in our efforts of finding my mother."

Justice Senft ordered Cowell be held on $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $10 million partially
secured bond during the pendency of the case, Tierney said.

Cowell is due back in court on July 25, 2024, and he is being represented by Jeremy Scileppi, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"This defendant has been indicted on charges related to the alleged dismemberment of a deceased individual," Tierney. "I commend the Suffolk County Police detectives for swiftly locating the victim’s remains. The investigation as to cause of death continues. We want to assure the victim’s family and the public that we are committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal process."