Posted on: October 29, 2026 06:00 AM

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Queens New York man 26 accused of shooting mother of four in head and burying her in park police say

In Edgemere, Queens, close to Rockaway Community Park, a guy was arrested in connection with the death of a woman whose rotting remains were discovered in a small grave.

A frightening discovery at Beach 58th Street and Almeda Avenue close to a cricket field in Rockaway Community Park prompted a 911 call that was answered by officials from the 100th Precinct. Authorities found a woman's body buried in a shallow grave with symptoms of decay after they arrived.

According to medical examiners, Seraphina Pereira was shot in the chest, head, and neck, and the death was classified as a homicide. A few days before her corpse was discovered, the lady had disappeared from her house.

Detectives have taken Rogelio Lozano Garita, 26, into custody in connection with the murder of the 35-year-old, according to the most recent information. According to the police and the victim's family, Pereira's boyfriend was Garita, whom she was attempting to divorce.

According to Daily News, Pereira's family said that the lady had four children, two of whom were with the accused.

Surveillance video was retrieved by investigators, showing Pereira and Garita entering the building of the former together at around 2:00 AM on October 19. Security cameras spotted Garita departing the premises alone approximately three hours later, with large garbage bags and a wagon in tow.

After 5:00 a.m., the 26-year-old was spotted hauling the wagon into the park's wooded area. Approximately 30 minutes later, the suspect departed the park, leaving the wagon behind.

Pereira was murdered in her flat, according to investigators. The outlet reported that as police led him out of the 101st Precinct stationhouse for his arraignment in Queens Criminal Court, Garita adamantly rejected the allegations, maintaining his innocence.

Garita is accused of murder, criminal weapon possession, concealing a human corpse, and tampering with evidence, among other offenses.

Authorities believed that her description might fit a missing person's just as they discovered her deteriorating remains. As a result, the NYPD released pictures of the victim and asked the public for assistance in identifying her.