Dead woman found in Schenectady welding shop

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

Employees of a Schenectady business returned from lunch Tuesday afternoon to find a dead woman in their shop, police said.

The discovery was made just after 1:30 p.m. at Swett & Swett Welding and Ornamental Iron at the intersection of Strong and Wyllie streets, police spokesman Lt. Mark McCracken said. The workers then summoned authorities.

McCracken only described the discovery as being made in a work area of the business.

The woman’s body was still inside the business as of 3 p.m., but police spokesman Sgt. Matthew Dearing said late in the afternoon he believed the body had been removed.

Dearing also said police believe they have an idea as to whom the woman was, but were confirming that. Police were also looking for a vehicle believed connected to her, he said.

Dearing said no determination had been made as to whether her death was the result of a crime.

As to whether she had any connection to the business itself, he said investigators were hoping to find that out in an interview with the owner. They’re also hoping to learn whether the business was locked as the workers were away for lunch.

Police tape surrounded the business late Tuesday afternoon, and barricades blocked both Strong and Wyllie streets at the business. A green door to what appeared to be the front office was open, with police coming and going through it.

The welding and iron business sits within sight of Brandywine Avenue, behind the Brandywine Hess gas station parking lot.