New York State Police say the woman whose burning body was found in Caledonia earlier this week lived with the Rochester couple accused of her murder. Troopers say the serial number on an artificial knee helped them identify 64-year-old Patrice Miller.
Miller lived in Gates with 35-year-old Aykut Ozkaynak and 42-year-old Mary Neverett. Both are charged with murder and evidence tampering after Miller’s body was found on fire alongside a seasonal-use dirt road in Livingston County. Both pleaded “not guilty” and are being held without bail.
Police are waiting for the Medical Examiner’s report on the exact cause of death, and they’re not clear on why Miller was killed, or her body was dumped in Caledonia.
Troopers say the victim’s daughter called police after being unable to get in touch with her mother. Ozkaynak and Neverett were arrested at the Motel 6 in Gates Wednesday night.
State Police Major Craig Hanesworth praised the work of investigators from the state, Livingston County and Gates for their work in cracking the case within 72 hours.
Police say they don’t believe there’s any connection between this incident and the burned body found Wednesday morning in LaGrange Park in Rochester. That case continues under separate investigation by Rochester Police.