Body found along the water in Queens park; police searching for answers

BAY TERRACE, Queens (WABC) -- A woman was found dead in the water at a park in Queens.

A person called 911 just after 11 a.m. Sunday reporting the body in the water along some rocks where people fish at the entrance to Fort Totten Park.

Police recovered the body of a woman who they said appeared to be in her 40s or 50s. They also found blood on a parked white Mercedes nearby.

Since police started looking for clues, the crime scene has expanded, and they have also been looking for video. There are NYPD cameras in the area -- and witnesses.

The park is secure because it contains a historic fort and military property used by the Army Reserves. It is also used for some NYPD and FDNY training, so it is guarded by officers around the clock.

The park is open to the public, and people enjoying the park on Sunday were surprised to find a crime scene that afternoon.

"I always walk in the daytime, I never walk at night. But this is devastating -- it's scary," said Patricia.

The woman was later identified as 51-year-old Sharon Shao of Queens.

The medical examiner determined that she drowned and it was a death by suicide.

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