By: Andrew Hackmack
Police arrested the stepson of a Valley Stream woman whose body was found in a dumpster late last month. William Tracey, 26, has been charged with the murder of Denise Tracey.
The 42-year-old woman was married to William Tracey's father, Paul, for the past 12 years. They lived along with William and his two other brothers at 41 Dartmouth St. in the Gibson section of Valley Stream.
On March 29, Denise Tracey's body was found in a dumpster behind a row of stores on Dubois Avenue, just blocks from the home. She had been missing for nearly two days and it was later determined she died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Following a three-week investigation, police arrested William Tracey on April 18 outside a home on Fire Island. At a press briefing Sunday morning, Det. Sgt. John DeMartinis said that they believe the murder stemmed from an argument between Denise and William in the early morning hours of March 28.
According to police, there was a verbal argument between the two in William's room in the basement of the house. DeMartinis said he did not know the specifics of the argument, but at some point it turned violent. Police say William Tracey repeatedly struck his stepmother in the head, eventually killing her.
No weapon was recovered and DeMartinis said police do not know what object was used to kill Denise Tracey. He also added that the other family members were asleep in their rooms on the second floor of the house when the confrontation occurred. "It is not unreasonable that they did not hear anything," he said.
Based on the investigation, police say they believe William Tracey acted alone in the killing.
William Tracey is being charged with second-degree murder. He was arraigned in First District Court on April 19. Eric Phillips, a spokesman for the District Attorney's office, said Tracey pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.
If convicted, Tracey could face 25 years to life in jail.
