A 24-year-old New York woman with reported depression and anxiety issues was identified by a medical examiner Thursday as the person whose body -- bound at the hands and feet -- was discovered earlier in the week stuffed into a large red suitcase ditched on a roadside in an affluent Connecticut town. Valerie Reyes, of New Rochelle, N.Y., was reported missing Jan. 30, a day after she was last seen, according to ABC7 New York. Reyes' cause of death wasn't immediately clear; but on Tuesday -- the same day cops made the gruesome suitcase find -- Greenwich Police Department Captain Robert Berry said authorities were investigating the death as a homicide. “Her family was advised of the positive identification last night. They are obviously devastated by the loss of Valerie and our heartfelt condolences go out to them," Berry said, according to ABC7 New York. “The Greenwich Police Department is dedicated to identifying those responsible for the death of Valerie and ensuring justice for her and her family." WOMAN'S BODY FOUND IN RED SUITCASE ALONGSIDE ROAD IN AFFLUENT CONNECTICUT TOWN, POLICE SAY Highway workers on Tuesday had stumbled upon Reyes' remains after discovering the suitcase sitting about 10-15 feet from Glenville Road in Greenwich, the town's police said. Reyes was described as being clothed but reportedly had her hands and feet bound. The New York Police Department Midtown North Precinct tweeted about Reyes in hopes someone who recognized her could help fill in the blanks about the final days of the Westchester County woman's life. “Have you seen Valerie Reyes?? 5’3”, black hair, brown eyes, ½ sleeve tattoo on left arm. Last seen wearing a green coat, black jeans, and black shoes. Suffers from anxiety and depression,” the message said. The day of the suitcase's discovery marked a week since anyone had reported seeing Reyes. Though it wasn't immediately clear what other evidence was collected at the scene, investigators soon honed in on Reyes as possibly being the mystery woman, with officers going to Reyes' home in New Rochelle later Tuesday night, News 12 Westchester reported. Additionally, an unidentified highway worker was being investigated after allegedly snapping unauthorized photos of Reyes' body, according to The Hartford Courant and ABC7 New York. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The grisly roadside discovery in Greenwich shocked residents of the elite enclave. “I feel like this neighborhood is relatively safe, so it’s a surprise. Finding a body near where you live, it’s concerning,” Liza Scullin, a resident, told Greenwich Time. “We’re supposed to be the safest towns in America or at least one of them,” said Melissa Klinka, who's also a member of the Greenwich community. “So something like this makes people uncomfortable.” Reyes worked at a Barnes & Noble store in Eastchester, N.Y., since the location opened more than two years ago, according to the chain. "The entire Barnes & Noble community is grieving the loss of our beloved employee Valerie Reyes," Barnes & Noble said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and coworkers during this difficult time." Lauren Bradford, who worked with Reyes, said the young woman planned to train to become a tattoo artist. "Horrified. Absolutely horrified," said Bradford, 19. "I'm just like totally shocked. She was a confidant. She really encouraged me and my aspirations. She had a really bright future. She was really excited about her art and her goals." No arrests have been announced. Investigators have asked anyone with information on the case to contact 203-622-3333. The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>(CNN) — A body found in a suitcase on the side of a road in an upscale Connecticut town has been identified as Valerie Reyes, 24, who had been reported missing, according to the Greenwich Police Department. Greenwich Police Department Reyes, 24, of New Rochelle, New York, was last seen on January 29. Reyes, a resident of New Rochelle, New York, had been reported missing to police in that city and was last seen on the morning of January 29, Greenwich police said. Her family was notified of the body’s identification Wednesday night. “The Greenwich Police Department is dedicated to identifying those responsible for the death of Valerie and ensuring justice for her and her family,” police said in a statement, adding that it’s received “a multitude of tips about this homicide.” The Connecticut chief medical examiner’s office, which assisted in identifying Reyes, has not released the cause and manner of death. “Many pieces of possible physical evidence were collected and results from forensic analysis are pending,” the statement said. Highway workers found Reyes’ body, with her hands and feet bound, in a suitcase Tuesday in a wooded area 15 to 20 feet off the shoulder of Glenville Road in Greenwich. Greenwich, with a population of around 63,000, is on the Long Island Sound about 35 miles outside New York City. The affluent town is home to hedge fund and financial firms. Police urge anyone with information to call an anonymous hotline at 203-622-3333. CNN’s Madeline Holcombe contributed to this report.<doc-sep>“My gut is it probably happened somewhere else, but these days, you never know,” Scott Chiappetta, who works at a preschool in the neighborhood, told the Greenwich Time. “It’s very quiet. Nothing ever really happens around here, other than [traffic] from the firehouse. It feels safe.”<doc-sep>
A 24-year-old woman from suburban New York City was identified Thursday as the person whose body was found inside a suitcase on the side of a road in Greenwich, Connecticut, authorities said Thursday. Valerie Reyes, from New Rochelle, New York, had been reported missing and was last seen alive on the morning of Jan. 29, police said. Valerie Reyes was found dead and stuffed in a suitcase in Connecticut on Feb. 5, 2019. Reyes was last seen in at her home in New Rochelle, New York, on Jan. 30. Handout Her body was found bound inside a red suitcase near the side of a road early Tuesday. "Her family was advised of the positive identification last night," Greenwich police Capt. Robert Berry said Thursday in a statement. "They are obviously devastated by the loss of Valerie and our heartfelt condolences go out to them." Reyes was fully clothed with her hands and feet bound, officials said. Berry said the cause of death had not yet been confirmed by the medical examiner. "Many pieces of possible physical evidence were collected and results from forensic analysis are pending," he said. Reyes lived in the same apartment building as her dad, and family members hadn't heard from her since Jan. 28, New Rochelle police said. The family called New Rochelle police to report her missing on Jan. 30, authorities said. In recent times, she had been suffering from depression and panic attacks, her family said. Norma Reyes recalled a recent phone call from Valerie, who was worried someone was targetting her. "Mommy I'm just having panic attacks, you know I fear for my life," the mother quoted her daughter as saying. "I feel like someone could come in the apartment and harm me." Reyes never specified to her family who she thought could be targetting her. "We don't even understand. The only thing that's weird is she was frightened for her life and then somebody ends up taking" her life, Norma Reyes said. Highway workers found the suitcase around 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, police said. One of those workers allegedly snapped pictures of the body and Greenwich city officials put that employee on paid administrative, pending further investigation, officials said Thursday. “The victim was a daughter, a sister and a cousin of a family who is suffering a tremendous loss at this time," Greenwich First Selectman Peter J. Tesei said in a statement. "This thoughtless and insensitive behavior by an employee is inexcusable. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ms. Reyes’ family.”