Bronx detectives are investigating the mysterious death of a man found in the back of a private ambulette parked on a local street Monday.
Law enforcement sources said the grisly discovery occurred at about 10:29 a.m. on Jan. 13 outside of 201 Castle Hill Ave. near Castle Hill Point. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the vehicle may have been left abandoned in the community for some time.
Officers from the 43rd Precinct, in responding to a 911 call, found a 64-year-old man — later identified as Peter Forrest of Holland Avenue in the Bronx — dead in the back of the ambulette with trauma about his body. Blood was also observed splattered around on the inside of the bus, sources close to the case said.
On Tuesday, the NYPD announced the case is now being investigated as a homicide.
Responding EMS units pronounced Forrest dead at the scene. His body was transferred to the Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Sources with immediate knowledge of the investigation told amNewYork Metro that Marquis Transportation owned and operated the ambulette, and that Forrest had worked for the company. Private ambulettes provide customers with medical, non-emergency transportation for appointments, often accessible to those using wheelchairs.
No arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, police said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or the suspects’ whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Updated at 12:25 p.m. Jan. 14 with information about the man’s identity.
