LI Man Burned Body Of Person He Killed In Backyard: Police

SHIRLEY, NY — A Suffolk County man was charged with killing someone and setting the body on fire in his backyard early Saturday, police said.

According to Suffolk County Police, the incident took place on Saturday at 2:30 a.m. on Mastic Blvd. West when officials received a 911 call reporting a fire in the backyard of the residence. Officers found a body, believed to be male, burning on the property, police said. The fire was extinguished, police said. Police believe the person set on fire was a male, authorities said.

Peter Pendzinski, 20, a resident of the home, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, police said. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries and is scheduled for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date, police said.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner to determine a cause of death, police said.