Death of woman at Water Mill resort Shou Sugi Ban House being investigated as a homicide, police say - Newsday

Oct 30, 2024

Suffolk County police said the death of a woman whose body was found Monday at Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill is being investigated as a homicide. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone

The Suffolk County Police Department said the death of a woman whose body was found Monday in a guest room of an East End spa is being investigated as a homicide.

A staff member at the spa, Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill, made the discovery, police said in a news release late Monday, adding the woman was "a victim of violence."

Police did not provide the woman's identity or cause of death, which they said will be determined following a Suffolk County medical examiner's autopsy.

An investigation that began Monday afternoon at the spa-style resort continued into the evening. The Southampton Town Police Department said officers had responded about 12:30 p.m. to the spa to investigate the death.

The death "appears to be an isolated incident," Southampton police said Monday afternoon, adding that there is "no immediate danger to the public at this time."

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Suffolk homicide detectives could be seen on the property late Monday alongside other law enforcement officials, some wearing bootees over their footwear, others photographing the premises. At least one Suffolk K-9 unit was on the property. Just before 8:30 p.m., a pair of Southampton police officers lifted the yellow police tape to allow a Suffolk County medical examiner vehicle up the driveway up to the spa’s sliding glass doors.

Shou Sugi Ban House, which opened in 2019, offers "spa, healing arts, nutrition, fitness and complete wellness experiences in a holistic, educational setting" in the heart of the Hamptons, according to its website. The spa serves dishes made with fresh ingredients curated from the East End. Newsday previously reported that the setting boasts plunge pools and an aromatic steam room and offers healing arts such as crystal healing and reiki.

A fashion and beauty bash on the property in 2022 included the likes of actor Kate Hudson, journalist and author Katie Couric and English fashion designer Stella McCartney, daughter of a former Beatle and sometimes Stephen Talkhouse patron, or even performer Paul McCartney, according to Vogue magazine.

The Shou Sugi Ban House did not immediately respond to Newsday's emailed request for comment Monday evening.

Suffolk detectives ask anyone with information regarding the incident to call the homicide squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.

With James Carbone

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