A guy was discovered dead with many slashes to his torso in a Central Park playground on Monday morning, but the NYPD says its preliminary investigation points to a self-inflicted death.
Initially, reports stated that the guy was discovered with string around his neck, prompting internet speculation that a third party was involved in his murder, but police later stated during a news conference that the yarn came from a sweatshirt.
“At this point in our investigation, we have not made a full determination as to the cause of death until the autopsy,” stated one of the officers at the news conference. “However, our preliminary theory and investigation indicates that his injuries could have been self-inflicted.”
Officers responding to a complaint at 8:30 a.m. discovered the man inside Heckscher Playground, near West 62nd Street and Center Drive. Cops claimed he had many lacerations on his body. At the site, EMS pronounced him deceased.
The man is 36 years old and was discovered with slashes on his stomach, chest, and neck, according to officials during a news conference at around 2 p.m.
Preliminarily, police suspect the wounds were self-inflicted. A knife was also discovered in his sweatshirt pocket. As the investigation continues and police notify his family, he has not been identified.
There have been no arrests recorded as the medical examiner investigates his death.