Search On For Leads In 1989 LI Murder Case That’s Gone Cold

FREEPORT, NY — The lifeless body of 29-year-old Carmen Vargas was found by a passing motorist who had pulled over on the shoulder of the Meadowbrook Parkway in Freeport back in September 1989. The legs of the petite Vargas, who was wearing only a tank top and a mini skirt, were bound at her ankles and there was a towel and rope around her neck.

Her murder 32 years ago has not gained any new leads in quite some time, but New York State Police investigators are hoping that highlighting it in their Cold Case Tuesday campaign, will shed some new light on the circumstances of her unsolved killing.

Kristin Lowman, chief of agency publications for the State police public information office, said Cold Case Tuesday was started in 2016.

“The social media initiative was developed as a way to highlight open cases on the agency’s social media platforms and online newsroom,” Lowman stated in an email. “The goal of the program is to renew the public’s interest in open cases and generate leads in the featured cases.”

Vargas’ body was reported at about 10:30 a.m. by a passerby who found it on the right shoulder of the parkway on the southbound side, about a half mile south of Merrick Road. The passerby, had stopped on the shoulder of the parkway and saw “what appeared to be a corpse,” police said.

Investigators found Vargas’ legs tied at her ankles “along with a towel secured around her neck,” as well as a rope around her neck.

“An investigation determined the woman was the victim of a homicide,” police said.

Investigators described Vargas, who previously lived in New York, New York, as a Hispanic woman who stood at about 5-feet-1 inches tall and weighed 105 pounds. She had a thin build, black hair and brown eyes.

The investigation into Vargas’ death is ongoing. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Troop L SP in Farmingdale at (631)756-3300.