Man's Torso Found in Suitcase Floating in East River — Roommate Confesses to Gruesome Murder
In a chilling turn of events, a Manhattan man has confessed to the brutal murder and dismemberment of his roommate, whose remains were discovered floating in the East River.
Discovery of the Dismembered Body
The investigation commenced on Feb. 5, 2025, when the NYPD harbor unit retrieved a duffel bag containing a severed torso, from the East River near Governor's Island. The remains were later identified as those of 65-year-old Edwin Echevarria.
Arrest and Confession
Following the identification, authorities questioned Echevarria's roommate, 23-year-old Christian Millet. During interrogation, Millet allegedly admitted to the crime, describing a violent altercation that escalated over a dispute about food. He confessed to knocking Echevarria to the ground, stomping on his head, and stabbing him multiple times with a makeshift ice pick, the New York Post reports.
Subsequently, Millet dismembered the body in their shared Lower East Side apartment's bathtub and disposed of the parts in the river.
Relationship Between Victim and Perpetrator
Neighbors and family members revealed that Echevarria had taken Millet into his home, referring to him as his "grandson," as reported by the New York Post. This act of kindness stemmed from Echevarria's relationship with Millet's mother, his longtime partner.
Echevarria's nephew, Eric Maldonado, was devastated by the betrayal, describing his uncle as a generous man who always helped those in need. Maldonado explained that Millet was the son of Echevarria's longtime, on-and-off girlfriend. "My uncle felt sorry for him. He said he saw the kid grow up and that he had problems with his mother and she threw him out," Maldonado said, as reported by the New York Post.
Legal Proceedings
Millet has been arraigned and charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. He is currently being held without bail. During the investigation, authorities discovered blood-soaked paper towels and a potential murder weapon — a sharp, cylindrical screwdriver — in the apartment. Prosecutors described Echevarria as a "grandfather figure" in Millet's life, with Millet confessing to the killing after experiencing "an insane urge to kill," according to NBC New York.
Community Impact
As the investigation continues, the gruesome nature of the crime has left the Lower East Side community in shock. Residents are grappling with the reality that such a heinous act occurred within their neighborhood, perpetrated by someone the victim trusted and sheltered.
References: NYC man chopped up and dumped in river was killed while on phone — and caller heard the whole thing: nephew | Roommate arrested after man's remains found in suitcase floating in East River | Man confesses to killing roommate after body parts in suitcase found floating in East River
