The Office of State Medical Examiner announced Monday that the 24-year-old woman whose body was found stuffed inside a suitcase on February 7 on the side of the road lost her life of "homicidal asphyxia."
Valery Reyes's legs and hands were bound by white twine and tape while her mouth was partially covered with packing tape, authorities said. She was found seven days after she was reported missing by family relatives.
Police arrested the victim's friend, Javier da Silva, 24, in connection to the case after he confessed having been with her in a New Rochelle house before she eventually "fell to the ground and hit her head."
da Silva faces kidnapping resulting in death charge and could receive the death penalty sentence if found guilty.
