Arrest Made in Murder Of New Yorker in Panama

PANAMA CITY, Panama — Authorities said yesterday they have arrested an American woman in the murder and dismemberment of a Staten Island businesswoman living in Panama City.

A 56-year-old Pennsylvania woman was being held in a Panama City jail as the prime suspect in the killing of Toni Grossi Abrams, a homicide detective, Carlos Vargas, said. She has not been formally charged.

The charred and dismembered body of Ms. Grossi Abrams, 57, was found Tuesday in a suitcase dumped in a field on the outskirts of Panama City, Mr. Vargas said.

Police were searching for two other suspects, including a man who has previous drug charges against him, Mr. Vargas said.

Ms. Grossi Abrams had invested in Panama's booming real estate market and had rented an apartment to the Pennsylvania woman, Mr. Vargas said.

Police had not established a motive yet but authorities believe Ms. Grossi Abrams might have been killed during a robbery at her upscale Panama City apartment, which was covered in blood, and were investigating reports her clothing was sold by the suspects to a local pawn shop, Mr. Vargas said.

Ms. Grossi Abrams, who would have turned 58 on Wednesday, graduated from Pittsburgh's Carrick High School in 1966 and was the first woman to hold the post of class president at the school, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.