Body Found in Woods Believed to Be Missing Sagaponack Woman

Update, 9:04 p.m.: Southampton Town police have confirmed that they believe the body found in the Sagaponack woods Saturday is that of Lilia (Esperanza) Aucapina, who had been reported missing six weeks ago. Detective Sgt. Lisa Costa said in a press release Saturday night that while the circumstances surrounding her death are still actively being investigated, "at this time the death is not believed to be criminal in nature." 

The body was found in a heavily wooded area between Sprig Tree Path and Toppings Path, north of the highway, in Sagaponack. Ms. Aucapina lived on Toppings Path. Southampton Town police and its detectives, along with the Suffolk County medical examiner's office responded. Further testing is necessary to positively identify the body.

Originally, 3:42 p.m.: Lilia Aucapina, a Sagaponack woman who disappeared on Oct. 10, was found dead Saturday morning, hanging from a tree in the woods behind her Toppings Path house, according to her husband's attorney, Colin Astarita.

"A hunter came across body and notified the Police Department," said Mr. Astarita, who has been representing Ms. Aucapina's estranged husband, Carlos R. Aucapina, after police interrogated him. Police made a tentative identification and notified the family Saturday afternoon, he said. Positive identification will be made through dental records, he said.

Southampton Town police detective have not yet commented on the discovery, though Sgt. Carl Schottenhamel, reached at headquarters Saturday afternoon, did confirm a body had been found in the woods, and said a press release was being prepared. 

She was found hanging from a low-lying branch, in a heavily wooded area that had been previously searched by officers, as well as K-9 units. The change in foliage was the difference, Mr. Astarita said, with most of the leaves having dropped off the trees.

He said he was told that the decomposition of the body was consistent with exposure to the elements over the six-week period.

"The families have come together," Mr. Astarita said, referring relatives of Carlos R. Aucapina and the missing woman. The close-knit family ties became strained after police questioned Mr. Aucapina the night his wife was reported missing. Ms. Aucapina had been granted a stay-away order of protection from her husband just days before her disappearance and had been living separately, though the couple was not in the process of getting divorced, according to Mr. Astarita.

After being questioned about his wife's disappearence, Mr. Aucapina was arrested twice, once by the Southampton Town police, then by East Hampton Town police, for allegedly violating the order of protection. He ended up spending several days in jail, before his family could raise the $10,000 bail amount set in each jurisdiction. The house he lived in, next to his wife's, was searched, in addition to his work truck. 

Mr. Aucapina, who maintained he had nothing to do with her disappearance, was among the last people to see Ms. Aucapina, when they were involved in a confrontation on the morning of Oct. 10 in Wainscott. Mr. Aucapina allegedly confronted her and a man she was with, Angel Tejada, in the parking lot of the Meeting House Lane Medical Practice while she was being dropped off to pick up her car. Mr. Aucapina was joined by Ms. Aucapina's brother, Carlos Parra. They left when Mr. Tejada called police.

Her family reported her missing 12 hours later. She had sent her children, a 21-year-old son and a 14-year-old daughter, a text message, telling them to remember that she would always love them, Mr. Astarita has said. 

"She was a loving mother, a loving wife, a wonderful, loving person," Mr. Astarita said. "It is a tragedy."