Woman found in suitcase: Ronald Schroeder, of Huntington, gave 'detailed admission' after arrest, prosecutor says
Ronald Schroeder is seen outside the Suffolk County Police Department's Third Precinct Saturday morning. Credit: Joseph Sperber
The Huntington man charged with concealing a woman's body in a suitcase gave investigators a "detailed admission" after a search of his apartment revealed a "strong odor of human remains," a prosecutor said in court Saturday.
Ronald Schroeder, 41, did not appear in court Saturday for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip because of what his Legal Aid Society attorney described as a "highly contagious airborne" illness. The attorney entered a "general denial."
Suffolk and Metropolitan Transportation Authority police arrested Schroeder at Penn Station just before 2 p.m. Friday. Schroeder allegedly concealed the death of Seikeya Jones, 31, whose body was found in a suitcase on Tuesday near a Huntington apartment complex on Nassau Road, near New York Avenue.
Judge Jennifer Henry waived Schroeder's appearance due to the health issue and ordered him held without bail or bond. He is due back in court Thursday.
Schroeder's facing a felony charge of concealment of a human corpse as well as three felony drug charges. He faces up to 9 years in prison on the drug charges, the prosecutor said.
Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Cappiello outlined more details into how investigators found Jones, including that officers discovered the deceased woman "in a fetal position" with her wrists and ankles bound. Police also recovered bungee cords.
Cappiello said the drug charges include possession of methamphetamine and a date rape drug.
Some family members sobbed loudly in the courtroom as Cappiello outlined the information during the proceeding. About two dozen people attended the arraignment in support of Jones, including some family members who wore white T-shirts with pictures of Jones and the words, "Forever in our hearts."
The family hurried out of the courtroom as the proceeding ended and declined to comment to reporters.
The judge asked the assistant district attorney about the status of the investigation and Cappiello said he had "no further comment" on that.
Schroeder was transported from the Suffolk County Police Department's Third Precinct with five other individuals for arraignment early Saturday morning. He did not appear to be wearing a face covering during transport.
Jones, whom family members nicknamed "Cheese" for her photogenic smile, was reported missing to police on Aug. 16 after leaving her mother’s home on Fifth Avenue in Huntington Station.
She was discovered Tuesday by residents. The results of an autopsy are pending, the prosecutor said.
Jones' family members had held a candlelight vigil on Friday night, creating a memorial at the site where her body was found and writing messages to her 4-year-old son. Family and friends left a teddy bear, candles and flowers beneath a large poster of Jones.
CORRECTION: Schroeder's age was misstated in a previous version of this story due to incorrect information from police.
The Huntington man charged with concealing a woman's body in a suitcase gave investigators a "detailed admission" after a search of his apartment revealed a "strong odor of human remains," a prosecutor said in court Saturday.
Ronald Schroeder, 41, did not appear in court Saturday for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip because of what his Legal Aid Society attorney described as a "highly contagious airborne" illness. The attorney entered a "general denial."
Suffolk and Metropolitan Transportation Authority police arrested Schroeder at Penn Station just before 2 p.m. Friday. Schroeder allegedly concealed the death of Seikeya Jones, 31, whose body was found in a suitcase on Tuesday near a Huntington apartment complex on Nassau Road, near New York Avenue.
Judge Jennifer Henry waived Schroeder's appearance due to the health issue and ordered him held without bail or bond. He is due back in court Thursday.
Schroeder's facing a felony charge of concealment of a human corpse as well as three felony drug charges. He faces up to 9 years in prison on the drug charges, the prosecutor said.
Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Cappiello outlined more details into how investigators found Jones, including that officers discovered the deceased woman "in a fetal position" with her wrists and ankles bound. Police also recovered bungee cords.
Cappiello said the drug charges include possession of methamphetamine and a date rape drug.
Seikeya Jones, 31, seen in an undated family photo. Credit: SCPD
Some family members sobbed loudly in the courtroom as Cappiello outlined the information during the proceeding. About two dozen people attended the arraignment in support of Jones, including some family members who wore white T-shirts with pictures of Jones and the words, "Forever in our hearts."
The family hurried out of the courtroom as the proceeding ended and declined to comment to reporters.
The judge asked the assistant district attorney about the status of the investigation and Cappiello said he had "no further comment" on that.
Schroeder was transported from the Suffolk County Police Department's Third Precinct with five other individuals for arraignment early Saturday morning. He did not appear to be wearing a face covering during transport.
Jones, whom family members nicknamed "Cheese" for her photogenic smile, was reported missing to police on Aug. 16 after leaving her mother’s home on Fifth Avenue in Huntington Station.
She was discovered Tuesday by residents. The results of an autopsy are pending, the prosecutor said.
Jones' family members had held a candlelight vigil on Friday night, creating a memorial at the site where her body was found and writing messages to her 4-year-old son. Family and friends left a teddy bear, candles and flowers beneath a large poster of Jones.
CORRECTION: Schroeder's age was misstated in a previous version of this story due to incorrect information from police.
Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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