Family makes horrifying discovery while opening backyard pool
Share and Follow

A New York family kicked off the summer season with a horrifying discovery when they opened their backyard pool and found a dead body found floating in the water. 

The disturbing find occurred on Sunday afternoon ahead of the Memorial Day holiday in the Long Island neighborhood of East Shoreham, New York, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. 

The department’s homicide squad is now investigating the body’s identity and cause of death, including the possibility that the corpse belongs to a murder suspect who had been on the run.

The suspect was Matthew Zoll, 23, who disappeared in November after allegedly killing his father. 

Matthew was accused of stabbing his father, Joseph, 61, in their Rocky Point home, which is about five miles from East Shoreham.

Police said at the time Matthew fled the scene of the crime in a black GMC Yukon and ran away after crashing the car. 

The East Shoreham home is about a half-mile from where police believe Matthew crashed his car and fled on foot. 

There is a wooded lot behind the home that extends to the parkway where the crash occurred. 

A family in New York made a shocking discovery when they took off the protective cover on their backyard pool and found a dead body floating in the water

A family in New York made a shocking discovery when they took off the protective cover on their backyard pool and found a dead body floating in the water 

The victim's identity hasn't yet been released, but the community has speculated that the body may belong to a young man who vanished last November after allegedly killing his father

The victim’s identity hasn’t yet been released, but the community has speculated that the body may belong to a young man who vanished last November after allegedly killing his father 

Matthew Zoll, 23, disappeared last November after he was accused of stabbing his father, Joseph Zoll

Matthew Zoll, 23, disappeared last November after he was accused of stabbing his father, Joseph Zoll

The shocking murder rocked the seaside Long Island community as authorities issued a massive manhunt for the alleged killer. 

US Marshals searched for the fugitive for weeks, combing a nearby 1,600-acre state park, but Matthew was never found. 

Police reported at the time that Matthew had schizophrenia and had gone missing last April.

Joseph Koll had worked as a mail carrier and had ‘lots of friends,’ his neighbor Karen Diffley told the New York Post after his tragic death. 

Diffley told the publication that she heard someone faintly screaming ‘help’ the night of Joseph’s murder, but assumed it was just the TV. 

‘I’m in shock. I’m totally in shock. He was a very nice man,’ she added.   

‘If I needed help mowing the lawn he would lend us his lawn mower. Very quiet.’

Another neighbor, Gavan Israel, described Joseph as a ‘nice, quiet, soft-spoken guy,’ adding, ‘Joe had a problem with alcohol years ago but he cleaned up.’

Community members told reporters at the time that Joseph was a kind neighbor. He died on  November 9 after sustaining stabbing wounds

Community members told reporters at the time that Joseph was a kind neighbor. He died on  November 9 after sustaining stabbing wounds 

Community members were riddled with tragedy after Joseph's (middle) death, and questions still loom over what happened to his son Matthew (far left)

Community members were riddled with tragedy after Joseph’s (middle) death, and questions still loom over what happened to his son Matthew (far left)

‘He was divorced. His wife moved to another town years ago. It was just him and his two sons. His older son, he was okay. 

‘Matthew, you could see immediately something was off because he was always looking down. He never really talked,’ Israel continued. 

‘He had a problem a few months ago where he went missing because he went off of his medication. The local news did a story about it when [police were] looking for him. I’m guessing that’s probably what this started with – a lack of meds.’ 

The community was left with looming questions about what transpired before Joseph’s death and where his son disappeared to. 

‘It was very strange… We all thought he just left town. Got on a train or a bus,’ community member Sharon Healey told local NBC affiliate, WNBC

The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to determine the identity of the body found in the pool. DailyMail.com reached out for an update on the investigation.  

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Gary, Indiana shooting: 9-year-old child fatally shot at home on Madison Street identified as Adrian Brown, officials say

Raymon Bell Charged in Fatal Shooting of 9-Year-Old Adrian Brown at Gary, Indiana Home on Madison Street

GARY, Ind. (WLS) — Charges have been filed in the shooting death…
Missouri police officer killed in the line of duty while serving warrant; suspect found dead, officials say

Missouri police officer killed in the line of duty while serving warrant; suspect found dead, officials say

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A Missouri police officer…
Southwest jet abruptly dives to avoid midair collision, passengers say

California Airport Affected by Air Traffic Controller Shortfall

() One of California’s busiest airports was left with no air traffic…
CoolKicks founder arrested after $500K worth of stolen Nike merchandise found at warehouse: police

CoolKicks founder arrested after $500K worth of stolen Nike merchandise found at warehouse: police

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The founder of a…
Texas National Guard deploys 200 troops to Illinois for federal protection mission amid protests

Texas National Guard deploys 200 troops to Illinois for federal protection mission amid protests

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Texas National Guard troops…
Shop ABC Secret Savings big deals for your home from bean bag chairs to spa-like towels.

Discover Secret Savings at Shop ABC: Big Deals for Your Home on Items from Bean Bag Chairs to Spa-Quality Towels.

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a…
Kate McCann tells stalking trial of 'final straw' for her family

Kate McCann Testifies About Stalking Incident That Was ‘Last Straw’ for Her Family

A Polish woman, facing accusations of stalking Kate McCann and asserting she…
2 'narco-banners' purportedly threaten Americans visiting or living in Mexico

Two ‘Narco-Banners’ Allegedly Warn Americans Traveling or Residing in Mexico

SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Two banners reportedly left behind by members…