By Steve Mosco
Authorities have identified a body found buried in a shallow grave late Tuesday in Ridgewood as a neighborhood man recently reported missing.
Frank Soucie’s body was unearthed in the backyard of an apartment he owned on Putnam Avenue, according to police. Neighbors said Soucie had lived in the apartment with his second wife and stepson.
Derek Tudor, 27, was arrested and charged with murder after he was held in custody as a person of interest, police said.
The 60-year-old retired postal worker had been missing since April 22, and although police would not confirm if the body was that of Soucie, neighbors said they were sure of it.
“We knew he wasn’t missing,” said neighbor Debbie Webster. “We knew that something had happened.”
Another neighbor, Emma Alameda, said Soucie’s stepson had been acting strangely earlier that day, walking into her apartment uninvited Tuesday afternoon. He requested access to the fire escape so that he could get into his locked apartment.
She also witnessed him placing large garbage bags outside in the trash.
“I called 911 because I knew something was wrong,” she said. “It was too strange.”
Another neighbor said that when he investigated the trash bags, he found a burned sleeping bag stuffed inside. He said the discovery gave him pause because he knew Soucie was an avid camper.
“I opened it up and it smelled like chemicals,” said Raymond Velez, 44. “Frank was a really nice guy. This is a crazy situation.”
Reach reporter Steve Mosco by e-mail at smosco@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
