Police are narrowing in on two possible suspects in the disappearance of a Staten Island father who went missing a few days before Christmas.
The New York Daily News has identified a couple that is suspected of being involved in the disappearance of Michael Stewart, who was last seen on December 21, though many questions remain in the bizarre story, which has not yet resulted in any arrests.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Stewart, 40, had gone to a bar in his Staten Island neighborhood that evening and was later seen outside a nearby barbershop, in what appeared to be an argument with two men. He reportedly sent a text message to his mother that read, “Please help me Mom,” at 2 a.m., and has not been heard from since.
According to the Daily News, authorities are expected to arrest Angelo Nesimi on an unrelated offense, but his own lawyer said he believes his client will ultimately be charged with murdering Stewart.
“I think they’re going to hit him with domestic violence while they try to get him on murder,” Mario Gallucci told the newspaper.
The lawyer did not elaborate further on the nature of the expected domestic violence charge. A woman believed to be Nesimi’s girlfriend reportedly told police that her boyfriend had killed a man and forced her to help dispose of his body. According to the Daily News, Zammara Sanchez ranted to paramedics about the alleged murder after they responded to a 911 call about a car accident on Sunday night, but found no indication an accident took place.
One of the first responders reportedly made the connection to the woman’s claims about a murder and the missing man, and notified police.
Further, a source told the Daily News that the couple was seen on surveillance cameras in New Jersey putting a body into a dumpster, followed by their own bloody clothes. As CrimeOnline previously reported, a woman believed to be Sanchez told police that her boyfriend made her dispose of a body in New Jersey.
According to the Daily News report, Nesimi and Zammara are both believed to be drug addicts.
CrimeOnline will provide further updates when more information is available.
