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The Long Island community has been stunned by the death of a woman at an upscale wellness resort. Here’s the latest on the investigation.
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The Long Island community has been stunned by the death of a woman at an upscale wellness resort. Here’s the latest on the investigation.

WATER MILL, NY — A murder mystery unfolds at a luxury spa in the Hamptons.

A woman who was found dead in a guest room on Monday was identified by police on Tuesday.

Here’s what police say happened

In the picturesque and elegant hamlet of Watermill, home to the rich and famous summer and spa, Shou Sugi Ban House is known as a luxurious retreat and tranquil wellness sanctuary.

But all was not well on Monday. Suffolk County police say a resort staff member discovered 33-year-old Sabina Rosas dead in a guest room.

Resort management did not respond to requests for comment and calls to the front desk were not answered.

Suffolk County police have said little about any suspects, although Southampton police have called the homicide an isolated incident.

An autopsy was started on Tuesday to determine the cause of death.

Luxury community rocked by murder

“I was shocked to hear that something happened at the Shou Sugi Ban House. I’m sure they are devastated,” said neighbor Tom Pedrazzi.

Pedrazzi said it’s unnerving to see homicide detectives swarming the normally serene five-acre retreat. Also shaken was Rosas’ longtime mentor Liz Phillips, a SUNY Purchase art professor, who said the victim also used the last name Khorramdel and was a talented artist.

“A bright light, funny, fun, creative and always doing interesting projects,” Phillips said of Rosas.

Phillips said Rosas was scheduled to visit her on Saturday, but never showed up or returned messages. The teacher’s former student told him that she was not traveling with anyone and that she was alone.

“This is a tremendous loss. She was an extraordinarily creative and capable artist/painter,” Phillips said.

Neighbors in the Hamptons wondered why anyone would shatter the peace of the place with violence.

– It doesn’t add up. Why would you go there to kill someone? said one.

“There’s a bit of that beer, that energy here. A lot of rich people who want to have a nice retirement and it turns bad quickly,” said another.