Cops: Man found dead in Central Islip a homicide victim

Homicide detectives with the Suffolk County Police Department are investigating the death of an unidentified adult male whose body was discovered Tuesday inside a wooded homeless encampment in Central Islip, authorities said.

About 12:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to a call regarding a body "inside a makeshift homeless enclosure" along the south side of Suffolk Avenue, Det. Lt Kevin Beyrer said at the scene Tuesday evening. 

"There was blood inside the enclosure, evidence that it was a murder," Beyrer said, adding  the enclosure was "very small" and about the size of a one- or two-person tent.

Detectives and crime scene technicians could be seen Tuesday afternoon in the woods south of Suffolk Avenue, between Carleton Avenue and Church Street. The detectives were examining an area containing discarded bags and blankets. Suffolk police set up a command post near the scene, which was marked by yellow crime scene tape.

No arrests have been made in connection with the man's death, Beyrer said.

The detective lieutenant said the body had likely been in the woods for a relatively brief period of time.

"We're processing the scene right now," he said. "The body is still inside; he has not been identified. He'll be removed to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy and we'll attempt to identify him."

The police closed Suffolk Avenue in both directions between Carleton Avenue and Church Street on Tuesday afternoon and the roadway remained off limits to traffic in the evening.

Anyone with information can contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

With John Asbury and James Carbone

Check back for updates on this developing story.