Cleaning Woman Who Vanished Was Bound, Gagged And Asphyxiated (VIDEO)

New York (AP) -- A woman found dead in a skyscraper where a cleaning woman had vanished days earlier was bound and gagged and had a gold crucifix taped to her mouth, police said Sunday.

Police searching for the missing cleaning woman at a building near the World Trade Center site found the body on Saturday after discovering blood leaking from a ventilation shaft, top police spokesman Paul Browne said.

The body hadn't been identified, but police presumed it was that of Eridania Rodriguez, who hasn't been seen since her work shift Tuesday at the 26-story Manhattan tower. Rodriguez' street clothes and other belongings were found in her locker, and video surveillance didn't show her leaving the building.

An autopsy Sunday determined the dead woman, found in a 12th-floor air-conditioning duct, was asphyxiated by tape applied to her head and face, medical examiner's office spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said.

The woman's hands were tied behind her back, and her feet and mouth were bound, Browne said. The crucifix was dangling by the woman's mouth, Browne said, but it was unclear whether the necklace had been caught underneath the tape.

"We haven't determined whether the crucifix ended up there incidentally or intentionally," he said.

The woman was wearing a work shirt and sweatpants and had suffered a head wound, Browne said. Her shoes were found elsewhere in the air-conditioning duct, he said.

Rodriguez, 46, was the sister of professional bodybuilder Victor Martinez. She was a native of the Dominican Republic who lived in upper Manhattan and was married with several children.

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She made her last appearance on security videotape at the skyscraper about 7 p.m. Tuesday. Her cleaning cart was found on the eighth floor.

Investigators traveled Friday to a Pennsylvania landfill where the building's garbage is taken to see if Rodriguez' body had been dumped with the trash.

The building, at 2 Rector St., is a few blocks from the World Trade Center site. Like many others near ground zero, it was upgraded with enhanced security after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Cameras cover every exit, and guards staff the lobby 24 hours a day.

Among the building's tenants are Daniel Libeskind, the architect who created the master plan to redevelop the 16-acre trade center site.

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Comments

[Bluejay00234]

Oh whoa, hopefully they will find her.

[JoeAmerican]

Did anyone leave? Perhaps she was dressed differently, changed her clothes?

[PAposter]

Her clothes and purse were still in her locker.

[fcsakes]

To all the people saying, why don't they do this, why don't they do that? How do you know they aren't?

I'm sure they are using every tool they have to look for her - stop trying to make it racial.

[PAposter]

No one has to "make" is racial here in American...it's as natural as hunting, and religion.

[BigBagel]

True. This is the worst country in the world. Bad. Very bad.

[houstonbch]

It's only natural if you allow it to be that way. Be continuing to create racial issues where none exist is adding fire to the flames. Defending those that do is adding gasoline.

I have need no indication that race is preventing them from doing any investigatory work. And this is coming from someone very aware of the prevelance of racial and sexual discrimitation, so if you have any proof that any racism is at play please provide it so we can all be enlightened.

[BigBagel]

and NASCAR. Don't forget NASCAR.

[YoMama]

I find it very sad that she had to work under such isolating and creepy conditions, and at night, away from her kids. Employees should not be alone on a floor. Surely these real-estate magnates could afford to spring for a co-worker on each floor. It's not as if Eridania could have been earning much more than minimum wage.

[fabricnthreads]

Sure they could afford to, but the bottom line is always profit. Safety is never the first priority until something goes wrong. Even then, safety isn't high on the list.

[sviolette]

Safety becomes a priority only when the lack of it cuts into profit.

[PAposter]

Also, if these floors are vacant 1) Why do they need to be cleaned every day/week and/or 2) Why didn't they put a camera on the vacant floors for security/safety reasons?

[ahoyhoy]

Firstly, they don't clean everything, everyday. It's a monthly cycle of maintenance.
Secondly, you'd be surprised at how much dust and crap can cover a space from the HVAC alone.
Thirdly, if the floors are vacant, the owners really want to always be able to show the space to anyone, at a moment's notice. The price of a cleaning & maintenance staff is peanuts compared to a lease in lower Manhattan.

[Green-Zanto]

Why shouldn't a person be alone on a vacant floor? People live alone all the time. People travel alone. People walk alone. She's a grown adult woman, why shouldn't she be capable of working alone?

[YoMama]

Most of us would not want our daughters were up there alone.

[VirginiaJeff]

I used to work as a security guard. Yes, it's creepy. But statistically it's probably safer being alone in one of those buildings at night than walking around outside in the day.

[weatherwaxx]

All they really need is an audio link to the security desk. But what if the guy she was afraid of was a security guard?

[YoMama]

Let's hope she told SOMEONE who the guy was who made her nervous. Her co-workers probably know. They'll catch the guy, but I fear the worst for her. So sad. Keep the story alive.

[ObamAtomic]

Her daughter knows.

[PAposter]

Huh?

[brooklyncitizen]

Gotta say as someone who charetted on design projects many late nights in these office towers it was creepy to work late sometimes.

[mimsnpips]

those intense hours really take it out of a person

[kimi6]

This is so sad. I hope they find her and that she's ok.

[fabricnthreads]

Everyone's worst nightmare, a parent, child, sibling, relative or friend disappears without a trace.

No consolation, I am sure, but we are all think of her and her family.

HuffPo, please keep us updated as this case progresses.

[learntofly]

Just don't believe they've investigated this thoroughly enough.

[MacManLB]

Me neither. Imagine if the woman was a twenty something blond girl. This would be national news. The entire police force of NY would be deployed. This is sickening,

[BigBagel]

I just checked Google news. 209 stories listed about this woman. Please detail the police failings on this matter.

[PAposter]

I can't believe they did not secure the building.

[dems08]

Police quietly sealed off the building Wednesday morning to hunt for clues. They found no trace of the missing woman. Workers were finally allowed back in shortly before noon, but the search continued Thursday.

Investigators combed the 26-story tower, including a sub-basement flooded with two feet of water. They also questioned a Department of Transportation employee, but said he was not a suspect.

[lovethesinner]

In all seriousness, I feel for the family. Missing a loved one is really tough. My heart and hopes for a reunion go out to them.

[cheeriogirl]

My thoughts and prayers go out to her family at this difficult time.

I pray she is found soon, and that she is safe.

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

I hope they looked at every place in the building and even in the elevator shafts.

[YoMama]

And the trash chutes, I hesitate to add.

[4peace]

Wow, I hope she turns up safe and sound.

[PresidentRobertBooth]

***She had been complaining about a guy at the building who made her kind of nervous," he said. "And she worked on floors that had been empty***

Well, there's a good starting point for the investigation

I wouldn't expect this to get a lot of coverage since the woman isn't white, and isn't blonde.

But I certainly hope very much she is found safe and well.

[Palemoon]

Best Post Ever!!

[robXdion]

I haven't seen this story anywhere else. I'll give HP credit for that.

[nycvagabond]

ever hear of a small publication called the New York Times? well it's in there too

[NoblesseOblige]

Exactly. And, Why don't they bring in search dogs who are trained to find missing people--like in avalanches and following earthquakes?

[PAposter]

Precisely, and now they're letting other people in the building..­.shouldn't it be a secured police scene.

[fcsakes]

The simplest solution is usually the best place to start. Like every man who had access to the building for at least a week before she disappeared. I wonder if they have to badge out too - that record could be an indicator.

Oh cripes - I'm a long way from being a detective. I hope they find her soon. I know how agonizing it is to not know what happened to a loved one.