Photo: Getty Images
The woman found dead in a vacant apartment building in Syracuse has been identified as 32-year-old Lachima Smith. Her remains were discovered by a demolition crew last Wednesday (January 29) at the building on Seymour Street. The building, previously the site of a fire in October, is slated for demolition with city approval.
According to Syracuse.com, police are awaiting autopsy results to determine Smith's cause of death. The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, as reported by LocalSYR. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Syracuse Police Department at (315) 442-5222.
The building, known as Peace Manor Apartments, has been vacant since December 2021 and has a history of code violations. It was purchased in March 2023 by Seymour Luxury Residence of Brooklyn. The city took legal action to demolish the building due to its condition, and a judge granted the request in November. The owner will be billed for the demolition costs.