Pair charged after human remains are found in two bags in New York parks

Two people have been charged after dismembered body parts were found in separate bags in New York parks.

The mutilated remains of a woman were reportedly found by a child at Barretto Point Park in the Bronx on Tuesday, with the bag containing a foot and an arm.

The location is said to be popular with families because it has a pool.

Another gruesome discovery had been made three days earlier after body parts were found three miles away in Crotona Park, also in the Bronx.

Police released a sketch of a missing woman as they investigated whether the two incidents were connected and the remains were definitely human, The New York Times reported.

The city's police department has since named her as Lisa Marie Velasquez, 25, whose grandmother is said to have reported her missing on 22 August.

Ms Velasquez's aunt Jacqueline Perez told ABC News: "The last thing my mother remembers is her coming, grabbing her bag and being in a rush and saying that she had to go help a friend that was in danger.

"She ran out of the house, that's the last thing."

ABC News has reported that Daquan Wheeler, 31, has been charged with murder, manslaughter, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon.

Ciara Martinez, from the Bronx, has reportedly been charged with criminal facilitation, hindering prosecution, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy.

NYPD chief Dermot F Shea tweeted on Thursday: "I want to thank the men and women of the 42 Detective Squad, Bronx Homicide and all who worked on the murder case of Lisa Marie Velasquez.

"Your collective efforts led to those responsible for her murder.

"Two perpetrators are now in custody."

The pair are yet to appear in court.

Mr Shea had previously told a news conference the woman found near Crotona Park had died from blunt force trauma.

Police believe Mr Wheeler smashed her in the head with a hammer before Ms Martinez helped in dismembering her body, ABC reports.

Ms Perez added: "The way she was tortured.

"For Christ's sake, she didn't deserve that."

The New York Post said Ms Velasquez had a tragic past, having witnessed her expectant mother's brutal murder in 2006.

The New York Times reported at the time that Marilyn Ginel was nearly nine months' pregnant when she was murdered her by ex-boyfriend, Robert Coakley, in front of her three children. Her unborn child also died.

The discovery of Ms Velasquez's body in two bags comes after the dismembered remains of 26-year-old Brandy Odom were found in Brooklyn's Canarsie Park in April.

Police said on Saturday there were no updates on the death of Ms Odom.