The search for a missing Long Island grandmother has become a homicide investigation after police discovered a body in a wooded area in Suffolk County, as reported by The New York Post.

Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63, was reported missing on January 29 by her son after she was last seen at her home on Forge Road in Riverhead, according to ABC 7.

For nearly two weeks, authorities and community members searched for the Riverhead resident.

Hallan restos humanos en Long Island en búsqueda de mujer desaparecida Kathleen Harrison Trent https://t.co/15m3e4ubcC pic.twitter.com/eK3aGG7l4w

— Félix Victorino (@donfelixspm) February 13, 2026

On Wednesday, officers with the Suffolk County Police Department located the body of an “adult female” in a wooded area south of River Road in Manorville.

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Police have not formally identified the body, and detectives are awaiting confirmation from the medical examiner. Authorities said the identification process could take several days.

Although the identity has not yet been officially confirmed, investigators have determined that the cause of death was “criminal in nature.” The case is now being handled by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad.

Trent was a mother and grandmother who worked as a security guard at Riverhead Raceway. News of the discovery has shaken friends and community members who had been hoping for a different outcome.

“She didn’t have a bad bone in her body,” friend Kelly Turbush told ABC 7.

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“Anybody who knew her loved her, anybody … If she could give, she would,” Turbush added in the same interview.

Another friend, Tanya Burriss, said she was “destroyed” upon learning that a body had been found.

“She was a good person, good, kind person,” Burriss said.

Police have not released additional details about how the body was discovered or whether any suspects have been identified.

Authorities also have not disclosed how long the body may have been in the wooded area before it was found.

The wooded location in Manorville, south of River Road, became the focus of investigative efforts during ongoing searches conducted on Wednesday. Detectives are continuing to gather evidence as part of the homicide investigation.

Trent’s disappearance drew attention in Riverhead and surrounding communities, particularly because of her role at Riverhead Raceway, where she worked as a security guard.

Suffolk County police have asked anyone with information related to the case to contact authorities.

As of now, investigators are awaiting final confirmation from the medical examiner to formally identify the remains and determine additional details surrounding the death.

The homicide squad remains actively involved as the investigation continues.

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