Woman found dead in Queens bathtub; police want to question boyfriend

JAMAICA (WABC) -- Investigators say the body of 28-year-old Miriam Velez-Samayoa was found burned in a bathtub at an apartment in Jamaica, Queens.

Friends and family members lit candles in remembrance outside of the building where she was discovered. Police made the discovery just after 4 a.m. Saturday, when they were responding to a call about a possible assault.

Now detectives want to interview the woman's boyfriend. Investigators say they need the help from the public tracking down Carlos Leon, who is also known as Carlos Alvarado.

Velez-Samayoa's former boss at the bodega where she worked, says she recently told him she would be leaving her job.

"She was going to Guatemala because her mother was sick, that's why she was going," said her former boss.

He says she planned to stay there permanently, and her return flight was scheduled to leave just hours after she died.

"I got really sad because she's dead and she was supposed to leave today," he adds.

As investigators continue their work, a man who lived on the same floor of her apartment building is realizing his neighbor didn't get to return to her family.

Neighbors told Eyewitness News that they had heard arguing and screams coming from the apartment in the past. Investigators say they will continue their work here into the morning hours.