MANHASSET, NY – Human skeletal remains discovered by members of a high school track team in a wooded section of Plandome Pond Park may be connected to the disappearance of a Great Neck woman who has been missing for nearly a year, according to police and published reports.
The remains were discovered at approximately 5:44 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in a wooded area of the park at 192 Lindberg Street in Manhasset. The Nassau County Police Department classified the case as an undetermined death, and Homicide Squad detectives are investigating.
Members of the Manhasset track team were running near the Long Island Rail Road tracks when one of the students noticed what appeared to be human remains in the brush. Plandome Heights Mayor Kenneth Riscica told ABC7 that the remains were in a remote area below the tracks and were not located along one of the park’s main trails.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said the students reported what they had seen, prompting a 911 call and a police response. Investigators subsequently confirmed that the remains were human. Police have said they do not currently believe the death was the result of criminal activity.
Authorities believe the remains may be connected to a missing-person case dating back to December 2025. Multiple reports have identified the possible missing person as Shi Hua Xu, a 79-year-old Great Neck woman who disappeared from her home on Dec. 16, 2025. She was last seen approximately four miles from the area where the remains were discovered.
Xu’s family reportedly identified a piece of clothing recovered from the scene as belonging to her, although authorities had not officially confirmed the identity of the remains as of the latest reports. DNA testing by the Nassau County Medical Examiner is expected to determine whether the remains are Xu’s.
Remains found in Manhasset – potentially missing woman Shi Hua Xu?
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The discovery could bring an end to an extensive search that began after Xu disappeared from her Great Neck neighborhood. Search efforts reportedly included police helicopters, canine units, Marine Bureau personnel, officers conducting grid searches and family members distributing missing-person flyers.
Plandome Pond Park is a Town of North Hempstead passive park surrounded by residential neighborhoods. The Long Island Rail Road’s Port Washington Branch runs along its eastern side. The park includes a pond, paved walking paths and benches and was temporarily closed while investigators processed the scene.
Key Facts & Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Human skeletal remains discovered |
| Date Found | October 1, 2026 |
| Location | Plandome Pond Park, Manhasset, New York |
| Discovered By | Members of a local high school track team |
| Discovery Area | Wooded section of the park near the Long Island Rail Road tracks |
| Investigating Agency | Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad |
| Police Classification | Undetermined death |
| Possible Identity | Shi Hua Xu, 79, of Great Neck |
| Date Xu Went Missing | December 16, 2025 |
| Identification Status | Not officially confirmed |
| Evidence Reported | Clothing found with the remains was reportedly recognized by Xu’s family |
| Next Step | DNA testing and examination by the Nassau County Medical Examiner |
| Criminal Activity Suspected | Police have said they do not currently believe criminal activity was involved |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
The Nassau County Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing. An official identification of the remains and a determination of the cause of death have not yet been announced.
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