GPS Data on Husband’s Phone Leads Detectives to Dismembered Wife’s Remains Near JFK Airport
Detectives investigating the death of 33-year-old Salisha Ali say GPS coordinates retrieved from the Life360 tracking app on the phone of her husband, 74-year-old Rupchand Simboo, led authorities to additional human remains under New York City’s North Channel Bridge. Prosecutors allege Simboo killed his wife and attempted to conceal the crime by discarding her body parts in different locations near JFK Airport.
Detectives investigating the death of 33-year-old Salisha Ali say GPS coordinates retrieved from the Life360 tracking app on the phone of her husband, 74-year-old Rupchand Simboo, led authorities to additional human remains under New York City’s North Channel Bridge. Prosecutors allege Simboo killed his wife and attempted to conceal the crime by discarding her body parts in different locations near JFK Airport.
A 74-year-old man accused of murdering and dismembering his younger wife was arrested after detectives reportedly uncovered crucial location data on his mobile phone.
Rupchand Simboo has been charged with murder, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and other related offences following the death of his 33-year-old wife, Salisha Ali.
Ali’s remains were first discovered near New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in September when sanitation workers found parts of her dismembered body wrapped in a plastic tarp and a blue blanket.
According to prosecutors, the investigation took a significant turn after detectives searched Simboo’s phone and recovered a series of GPS coordinates generated by the Life360 location-tracking application.
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Authorities say the data showed Simboo at the North Channel Bridge on July 14, 2024—the day after Ali was reported missing. Records also allegedly indicate he travelled to the area where the initial remains were later discovered the following day.
Based on the information obtained from the phone, investigators searched the bridge area last week and located additional remains believed to belong to the victim, including her head, legs and an arm.
Police sources say one line of investigation centres on allegations of a “love triangle” after rumours circulated among neighbours in Queens suggesting Ali may have been involved in an extramarital relationship.
Concern over Ali’s disappearance first arose when she failed to show up for work and could not be reached by family members or colleagues.
Simboo later reported her missing to police after being urged to do so by his mother-in-law.
The discovery of the victim’s dismembered remains by sanitation workers prompted a homicide investigation, which ultimately led to Simboo’s arrest after authorities located the remaining body parts.
Reacting to the arrest, a local resident told the New York Post: “He was a nasty man… very vindictive. He’s not a nice person.”
Another neighbour added: “I wasn’t surprised when this happened because he interfered in people’s affairs. He was a very wicked man.”
Simboo has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to appear in court next week.
Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant went to extraordinary lengths to evade responsibility for the brutal killing of his wife, discarding her remains in remote locations and concealing critical evidence in an apparent effort to cover up this horrific crime.”
She added: “Were it not for the diligence of New York City sanitation workers, who discovered the remains and promptly notified authorities, the victim’s loved ones might still be searching for answers. Our thoughts are with Salisha Ali’s family and friends as we work to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable.”
