Body Found Buried in Snow Outside Long Island Housing Complex

Police believe the man's death was non-criminal as they investigate the grim discovery.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Workers shoveling snow at a housing complex in Deer Park, Long Island on Monday afternoon discovered the body of a man buried beneath the snow near a walkway. Police responded and pronounced the man dead at the scene, and detectives believe his death was non-criminal in nature, though the exact cause is still under investigation.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers that extreme winter weather can pose, especially for vulnerable populations like the homeless. It raises questions about whether more could have been done to ensure the safety of those without adequate shelter during the record-breaking blizzard that hit the area.

The details

The body was found by snow shovelers around 3:45 pm on Monday near a housing complex on Parkcenter Drive in Deer Park. Police responded and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Detectives believe the death was non-criminal, but the Suffolk County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. It's unclear if the man was homeless or why he was outside in the severe storm.

  • The body was discovered by snow shovelers around 3:45 pm on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The record-breaking blizzard, dubbed Winter Storm Hernando, hit the area overnight, with Babylon, the town that includes Deer Park, receiving 24 inches of snow as of 1 pm that day.

The players

Suffolk County Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the scene and is investigating the incident.

Suffolk County Medical Examiner

The office that will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of the man's death.

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who stated that no deaths related to the blizzard had been reported in the five boroughs as of early afternoon on the day the body was discovered.

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What they’re saying

“We are not aware of any deaths related to this blizzard on our city streets or in public areas.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (Press conference)

What’s next

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of the man's death, and police will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic discovery highlights the need for greater support and resources for vulnerable populations, especially during extreme weather events, to prevent such heartbreaking outcomes in the future.