Long Island Mom Found Dead—Then THIS

Police tape marking a crime scene at night.

A Long Island mother who spent decades as a familiar face in her community was found dead in the woods—then police charged her own son with murder.

Story Snapshot

Curtis Trent Jr., 36, of Riverhead was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63.
Kathleen Trent was last seen or heard from on January 27, reported missing January 29, and found dead February 11 in a wooded area in Manorville.
Authorities have not publicly released the official cause of death or explained how investigators identified the suspect.
Court documents cited by local reporting allege the victim was stabbed, though not all outlets have confirmed that detail.

What Police Say Happened—and What’s Still Unclear

Suffolk County authorities say Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63, vanished in late January and was later found dead in a wooded area off Connecticut Avenue, south of River Road, in Manorville—about six miles from her home in Riverhead. She was last seen or heard from on January 27 and was reported missing on January 29. After the body was discovered on February 11, investigators determined the death was criminal in nature.

Police arrested her son, Curtis Trent Jr., 36, on February 25 and charged him with second-degree murder, followed by an arraignment in Riverhead Town Justice Court. Beyond the charge, key facts remain undisclosed: investigators have not publicly provided the official cause of death, and reporting indicates police have not explained how Trent became the suspect. That lack of transparency is not uncommon early in a homicide case, but it leaves the public with limited confirmed details.

A son of a Riverhead woman found dead in a wooded area of Manorville earlier this month has been charged with killing her, Suffolk County police said.

Curtis Trent Jr., 36, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the killing of his mother, Kathleen Harrison Trent,… pic.twitter.com/O8AovUOmMS

— Newsday (@Newsday) February 26, 2026

A Community Figure, a Family Tragedy

Local coverage described Kathleen Trent as a longtime Riverhead Raceway employee who had worked there for decades, making her a known presence in the area. That community connection helps explain why this case spread quickly beyond a routine police blotter item. Domestic homicides often land hardest because they hit what many families consider sacred ground: the home. When allegations point inward toward family, it raises questions about warning signs, accountability, and whether intervention was possible.

The timeline adds to the sense of unease. A missing-person report was made two days after Kathleen Trent was last seen or heard from, yet her body was not found for nearly two weeks. The discovery location in Manorville—wooded and away from her home—suggests investigators had to sort out not only what happened, but also how and when the victim was moved. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the body as Kathleen Harrison Trent, according to reporting.

Stabbing Allegation: Reported, But Not Uniformly Confirmed

One key detail has surfaced through court-document reporting: an allegation that Curtis Trent Jr. stabbed his mother. That claim appears in local television coverage referencing court paperwork, while other reports describe the death as criminal without specifying the method. Because officials have not publicly released a cause of death, readers should treat the stabbing detail as an allegation tied to court filings rather than a universally confirmed public statement by investigators.

This distinction matters in a justice system that is supposed to balance public safety, victims’ dignity, and due process. Second-degree murder is a grave charge that can carry life-altering consequences if proven. At the same time, the public has seen too many cases warped by rumor mills, selective leaks, and social-media speculation. The most responsible approach is to stick to what is corroborated across outlets while acknowledging what remains unverified or not yet released.

What Comes Next in Court—and Why Details May Stay Sealed

With the arrest and arraignment now completed, the case moves into early court proceedings where evidence, motions, and any bail determinations can become contested issues. Reporting so far does not provide bail status, plea information, or a next court date. Investigators may also hold back specifics to protect an ongoing investigation, preserve witness statements, or prevent compromising forensic findings. For the public, that means the biggest questions may not be answered quickly.

In the meantime, the community response has been immediate and human. Reporting says a GoFundMe was created to help with funeral expenses and had raised more than $8,000. That kind of response signals a town rallying around the victim’s memory while the court system grinds forward. The ultimate test will be whether prosecutors can prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, using evidence rather than outrage—because justice, to be legitimate, has to be both firm and fair.