By Christina Santucci
A York College student who had been missing for more than a week was found dead inside a Corona home over the weekend, and authorities were working to determine how he died, officials said.
Manuel Luna-Ceron, 27, was last scene at 104th Street and Roosevelt Avenue Nov. 20, and 10 days later his body was discovered early Sunday in a house, at 42nd Avenue and 111th Street, police said. Authorities sent out a request for information about the missing man Nov. 25.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the medical examiner was still working to determine his cause of death, a spokeswoman for the office said.
Police said authorities were called to the multi-family residence to investigate a foul order at about 2 a.m., and Luna-Ceron, who had a tattoo of the word “Luna” and a moon on his left arm, was found inside a bedroom on the third floor. He was unconscious and not responsive, and when emergency responders arrived at the location, he was pronounced dead, according to police. It was unclear if he lived in the home where he died, an NYPD spokesman said.
There were no arrests, and an investigation was ongoing, police said.
A woman who identified herself as Lupe and a next door neighbor said two men and a woman lived in the house’s upstairs apartment, where he was found.
She spotted an ambulance on the street at about 2 a.m., and then several hours later police vehicles arrived.
York College in Jamaica sent out a message to students and staff Tuesday, saying that it would provide counseling services to the college community.
“The entire York College community is shocked and dismayed by the death of our friend and fellow scholar Manuel Ceron. Our college is a collection of people who each contribute their own individual magic and Manny exemplified that fact,” the statement said. “Manny brought tremendous enthusiasm to our campus and will be deeply missed. While we attempt to process this tragedy, we extend our thoughts and prayers to his family and everyone who loved him.”
The school said it was planning to honor Luna-Ceron’s memory.
Reach managing editor Christina Santucci by e-mail at timesledgerphotos@gmail.com by phone at 718-260-4589.
