Ten Years On, Who Killed Jennifer Cohen in Owl’s Head Park?

Ten years after Jennifer Cohen’s body was found inside the skateboard ramp at Owl’s Head Park, the man seen with her in the hours before she died has still not been identified.

Cohen, 35, a mother of two who lived in the neighborhood, was last seen around 2:45 a.m. on Sept. 29, 2016. Security cameras along Second Avenue captured her walking with an unidentified man toward the park before the two separated. According to the footage, the man walked to 79th Street and Third Avenue, then doubled back to meet Cohen near 59th Street and Second Avenue. Cameras then recorded the pair entering the park together at about 2:45 a.m. Roughly an hour later, the man was seen leaving alone.

Between about 9 and 10 that morning, a jogger, described by some as an off-duty firefighter, found Cohen lifeless in the ramp, her face covered in blood. The Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide on Sept. 30, 2016, citing blunt impact injuries to her head and torso.

Days later, police released video and images of the man and offered a $2,500 reward. Detectives described him as about 5 feet 2 inches tall and 175 pounds, wearing a black jacket, black shorts with white trim, a dark baseball cap, a black backpack and dark sneakers. Detective Robert Agron said at the time that the man likely lived or worked near Bay Ridge and knew the area.

According to unidentified sources who spoke to The New York Daily News, police found Cohen’s purse near her body without an ID card but containing needles and condoms. ABC7 and the Daily News also reported that Cohen was allegedly addicted to drugs and had been arrested several times for drug possession and minor offenses.

The case drew outside attention. On Oct. 28, 2016, investigative journalist Billy Jensen opened a Facebook page asking the public to share the footage of the man he called a “white whale.” Jensen spent thousands of dollars on geotargeted Facebook ads aimed at area residents, according to Brooklyn Paper, which first reported on the anniversary. No identification followed.

An NYPD spokesperson confirmed to the paper that the investigation remains ongoing and that the man on camera is still considered a person of interest. The Crime Stoppers reward has grown to $3,500.

The killing unsettled a part of Brooklyn that has historically reported relatively low crime. The 68th Precinct, which covers Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, recorded 23 killings between 2016 and 2026, including Cohen’s, according to the latest police statistics. Citywide, nearly 4,000 homicides occurred in the same period, though the annual number has been declining for over a decade.

Since Cohen’s death, the park has seen changes. Josephine Beckmann, district manager of Community Board 10, said lighting and security improvements came through funding secured by then-Council Member Justin Brannan. Beckmann said $2 million was secured in fiscal year 2021 for renovations including paths, slopes, retaining walls, stairs, drainage, landscaping, seating areas and security lighting. According to NYC Parks crime statistics, the park has recorded one burglary, one felony assault, two grand larcenies and three robberies since 2016.

Cohen’s brother launched a fundraiser after her death to help cover funeral expenses. Brooklyn Paper said it was unable to reach her family for comment on the anniversary.

“Jennifer Cohen was a victim who deserves dignity and respect, and I hope police investigators continue their efforts to identify the person responsible for taking her life and bring them to justice,” Beckmann said.

Anyone with information about the person of interest can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (Spanish speakers can dial 888-57-PISTA), submit tips at nypdcrimestoppers.com or message @NYPDTips on Twitter. All tips are confidential.