Missing Mom Found in Shallow Grave Was Shot Repeatedly, Police Suspect She Knew Killer
Investigators believe the woman, whose body was discovered on a New York City beach, may have known her assailant.
The remains of a missing woman found buried in a shallow grave on a Queens beach over the weekend showed signs of multiple gunshot wounds, and investigators suspect she knew her killer, according to law enforcement officials and sources.
Seraphina Pereira, 35, was last seen on October 19 around 11 a.m. leaving her Beach 54th Street home. This location is approximately half a mile from Rockaway Community Park in Edgemere, where her body was discovered five days later. The body was found wrapped in a blanket within a shallow hole, according to police.
The city’s medical examiner’s office ruled Pereira's death a homicide, confirming she had sustained gunshot wounds to the head, neck, and torso. Her remains were already decomposing when authorities discovered them around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, sources said.
Pereira frequently shared updates about her children on social media platforms. Just days before her disappearance, she posted a birthday message for her son, who was turning five. Earlier that week, she had shared a selfie with her daughter, remarking on how the child had done her makeup.
As of Monday, no arrests had been made in connection with Pereira’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.