Torso Found in Duffel Bag Near Hudson River

Note: Correction appended.

A duffel bag containing a human torso was found on the Hudson River shoreline Monday morning, police said. A local fisherman made the discovery at West 156th Street and Riverside Drive in Washington Heights just before 11:30 a.m., according to police reports.

The torso, which appeared to be that of a woman, was swathed in a trash bag and stuffed in the duffel bag.

A spokesman for the Lower Washington Heights Neighborhood Association, John Culpepper, said community members were awaiting more information.

"We want to know who is missing so we can console the family," he said.

Mr. Culpepper said he wasn't aware of a recent crime the body could be tied to, but was staying in contact with the local police precinct and monitoring sources.

"When something like this happens, it spreads like wildfire," he said. "We knew about it long before the news media."

Police said the medical examiner would determine the origin and identity of the body. They haven't linked the incident to any disappearance or abduction yet, they said, but will continue to investigate.