Pe-a had been missing since February and suffered from schizophrenia, family members said in a published report. They also said, to their knowledge, she did not know anyone in East Meadow.
Her body was discovered under a bed and covered with a blanket in an illegal basement apartment at 2389 Post St. The house was being illegally rented to several tenants, police said.
The tenant who occupied the room where Pe-a was discovered hadn't been seen in weeks and was behind on his rent, police said. Police are still trying to track him down for questioning. Anyone with information should call the Homicide Squad at (516) 573-7788 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.
Since the house was being illegally rented, the Town of Hempstead Building Department also moved forward with issuing the owner a summons, based on an affidavit from police.
