Homicide Investigation Underway After Woman Found Dead in Midtown Manhattan

Police and local residents reported on Monday that a 31-year-old woman was discovered wrapped in a sleeping bag outdoors in Midtown Manhattan on Friday, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities are currently investigating her death as a homicide. The victim, identified by law enforcement as Yazmeen Williams of Manhattan, was found unresponsive at approximately 5 p.m. on Friday following a 911 call reporting a suspicious package outside 207 East 27th St. in Kips Bay, as per the NYPD. While no arrests have been made yet, the city’s chief medical examiner’s office determined her death to be a homicide on Sunday.

Neighbors who were interviewed on Monday recounted a disturbing scene outside a residential building. “I went out to buy groceries and noticed a 6-foot-long sleeping bag lying there,” Eric Rudow stated, gesturing towards the sidewalk where a makeshift memorial had been arranged with candles, flowers, balloons, and a picture of a woman in a white dress with a bow, smiling tightly. He mentioned that the sleeping bag was infested with flies and emitted a foul odor.

As per NYPD data, there have been two homicides in the 13th Precinct, which covers parts of Kips Bay, Flatiron, and Gramercy Park, this year so far, compared to one at the same time last year. The precinct recorded two shootings up to July 7, with none during the equivalent period in 2023. These statistics highlight a troubling increase in violent incidents in the area, raising concerns among local residents and officials.

In a small courtyard close to where the woman was discovered, several individuals indicated that they only knew her by the moniker “Black Angel.” “She would just hang around, come here with her friends, then they’d hang out and leave,” Crystal Maxim Jones mentioned. “She would drink, that’s all. I didn’t see any other substances – just weed.” This informal community, who often saw Williams, expressed their shock and sadness at her violent death.

Neighbor Ed Thiede expressed his shock at the tragic incident. “We don’t usually experience anything like this around here,” he remarked. “So it’s really quite unusual.” The area, typically seen as safe and quiet, has been rattled by this incident, prompting increased vigilance and concern among its residents.

As the investigation continues, the NYPD is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously to the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or through the Crime Stoppers website. Authorities are committed to bringing justice for Yazmeen Williams and ensuring the safety of the Midtown Manhattan community.

The tragic death of Yazmeen Williams has not only brought grief to those who knew her but also a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of public safety in urban areas. As the community mourns her loss, there is a collective hope that the perpetrator will be swiftly apprehended and that measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future.