An American woman who worked for a Staten Island businesswoman in Panama is the lead suspect in her grisly dismemberment, local investigators said yesterday.
But there was no known motive for the murder of Toni Grossi-Abrams, 56, well known in Staten Island for supporting the borough’s cultural and service institutions.
Grossi-Abrams’ burned and dismembered remains were found in a suitcase by a soccer field in Panama City on Tuesday.
While they were still working Wednesday to identify the remains, Debra Ridgleia, 56, appeared at a police station to report that Grossi-Abrams was missing.
Cops noticed cuts to her hands, and then detected blood under her fingernails – suggesting that Grossi-Abrams struggled with her before she died. Police believe a knife from Grossi-Abrams’ apartment was used in the killing.
Ridgleia was the only suspect in custody last night, authroities said.
But police said they are seeking two Colombian men who are believed to have aided Ridgleia by doing the actual dismemberment and trying to set Grossi-Abrams’ body on fire.
Grossi-Abrams is remembered on Staten Island for her “first class mind” and was excited about her business investments in Panama, said her pastor, the Rev. William Blasingame of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
“She was truly larger than life. If you met her, you would never forget her,” said Blasingame, who first met Grossi-Abrams about a dozen years ago at a fundraiser for a Staten Island arts group.
Grossi-Abrams, who lived in a luxury apartment in St. George, spent a lot of time in Panama in the last two years, Blasingame said.
“She told me one time that was a wonderful place for American investment,” the pastor said. “She said it was an undiscovered vacation destination.”