A quiet Saturday morning at a Yaphank gas station turned into a homicide scene after 30-year-old Juliann Bachmann of Bellport was found injured and unresponsive inside a vehicle. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died, and Suffolk County police say a Bellport man is now facing a second-degree murder charge as family and neighbors wait for answers.
What police say
According to Suffolk County Police, officers were called to the Speedway on Horseblock Road at about 7:25 a.m. Saturday, where they found Bachmann inside a vehicle. She was taken to NYU Langone Hospital–Suffolk in Patchogue and pronounced dead there. Detectives say their initial investigation led them to believe her death was criminal in nature and asked anyone with potentially useful information to contact investigators.
Arrest and charges
Local reporting indicates that 40-year-old Michael McHenry of Bellport was taken into custody Saturday evening and charged with Murder in the Second Degree. News 12 reports that McHenry was held overnight at the Third Precinct and was expected to be arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Central Islip.
Investigation and tips
Homicide detectives are asking anyone who was near the Speedway early Saturday to review their phone or doorbell camera footage and come forward with anything that might help the case. As reported by Patch, police have provided a Homicide Squad tip line and are directing people to Crime Stoppers for those who prefer to share information anonymously.
Legal notes
Authorities say McHenry is scheduled to be arraigned May 17 at First District Court in Central Islip and that he has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree. The department also emphasized that “a criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty,” according to Suffolk County Police.
