Woman arrested in connection with alleged homicide at Floral Park Motor Lodge

Robert Pelaez
34-year-old Elmont resident Ruth Toussaint was arrested in connection with the alleged homicide against Destinee Lavender on Wednesday, according to the Nassau County Police Department. (Photo courtesy of the Nassau County Police Department)

An Elmont woman was charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 28-year-old woman whose body was found at the Floral Park Motor Lodge last week, according to officials from the Nassau County Police Department.

Ruth Toussaint, 38, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the death of fellow Elmont resident Destinee Lavender, officials said. Officials claim Lavender died as a result of a homicide. The murder was reported to the Floral Park Police Department after 1 p.m. on June 13.

Toussaint’s arraignment was postponed from Wednesday to Monday, court records show. Efforts to reach people close to Lavender or a representative of the Floral Park Motor Lodge, located on 30 Jericho Turnpike, for comment were unavailing.

Efforts to reach a police department representative or Toussaint’s attorney, Mindy Ellen Plotkin, for comment were also unavailing.

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