Teen track runner discovers human remains in Long Island park, police say may be missing elderly woman

A teenage runner with the Manhasset High School track team discovered skeletal human remains in the brush of Plandome Pond Park in Manhasset, Long Island, on Thursday afternoon.

The find prompted a homicide squad investigation by Nassau County police, who said the remains appear to be female and may belong to Shi Hua Xu, a 79‑year‑old woman with dementia who went missing from Great Neck in December 2025.

“I’m doing fine. I only hope this brings closure to a family that lost someone,” said the teen when asked how he felt, according to Plandome Heights Mayor Kenneth Riscica.

Police identified the discovery site as 192 Lindberg Street, near the park’s wooded trails adjacent to the railroad tracks. The boy, an Eagle Scout, alerted officers after spotting the bones while running the team’s practice route.

Detectives have already linked a piece of clothing recovered at the scene to Xu, based on family identification. The Nassau County Police Commissioner, Patrick Ryder, told reporters the department does not believe the death was criminal in nature, and officials are awaiting DNA results to confirm the victim’s identity.

Neighbors expressed shock at the unexpected discovery. Long‑time resident Diana Cotumaccio said, “I’ve been here 30 years and this is a new one for me,” describing the increased police presence in the area.

Authorities continue to collect evidence and will keep the public informed as the investigation proceeds. The police department says they aim to provide a definitive identification by the end of the day and to determine the circumstances surrounding the death.