Queens Mother Found Buried in Shallow Grave

Police officers and hostage negotiators converged on a building in Edgemere, Queens, on Monday night to locate a man suspected in the death of a missing mother. The search followed the identification of a body recovered from a shallow grave over the weekend.

The victim was confirmed as Seraphina Pereira, 35. She had been reported missing from the Ocean Bay Apartments a week prior. The medical examiner determined she was shot once in the head. Her body was found in a park on Beach 58th Street.

Flyers with Pereira's name and photograph had been posted throughout the neighborhood by her family. Neighbors said the heavy police presence at the apartment complex on Monday confirmed their fears about her disappearance. One woman, who requested anonymity, told Eyewitness News, "She got three kids. It's real sad. Nobody deserves that."

Law enforcement sources identified the person of interest as the father of two of Pereira's children. Police initially believed he was inside a residence on Beach 54th Street. He was not there, but officers located him at another nearby location later that evening.

Charges remained pending as of Monday night. Authorities have not released the suspect's name. The investigation into the death of the mother of three is ongoing.