Gary Cowell of Patchogue, who used an ax to dismember Yvette Leonard, has pleaded guilty to concealing a human corpse and forgery, court records show

A Patchogue man pleaded guilty Thursday to concealing a corpse and tampering with evidence for using an ax to cut up the body of a woman who died in his home and then disposing of her remains last June, according to court records.

Gary Cowell, 72, will be sentenced to a maximum of 1.5 to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to his involvement in the June death of 56-year-old Patchogue resident Yvette Leonard, his attorney confirmed.

“Mr. Cowell has taken full responsibility for his actions today and acknowledged his role in the very tragic set of circumstances that led to the death of Yvette Leonard,” said attorney Jeremy Scileppi of Commack. “Mr Cowell’s explanation of what happened was consistent and he co-operated with the investigation when questioned by police.”

Prosecutors said Leonard was last seen heading to the Edwards Street home of Cowell, whom they described as an “old acquaintance,” on June 13. Leonard’s son, Malik, searched for his mother days after her roommate reported her missing. using social networks and handing out leaflets.

On June 22, her remains were found in three locations along Montauk Highway near Sills Road in East Pachogue, police said.

Prosecutors have said they believe Leonard died in Cowell’s presence sometime between June 14 and 21, but have not said how she died. Cowell has not been charged with causing her death.

Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Kieran Rogers said during Cowell’s arraignment in July that he slashed her body in an attempt to slow down detectives who had already launched a “major investigation” into Leonard’s whereabouts after family members reported her missing.

“Instead of trying to help her, instead of calling 911 or calling the police, (Cowell) took an ax and cut Ms. Leonard into four pieces,” Rogers told Acting State Supreme Court Justice Anthony Senft on July 8 . prosecution in Riverhead.

Family described Leonard as an intelligent and caring woman who struggled with addiction. According to her mother, Nancy Davis, her dream was to become a drug counselor.

According to court records, Cowell will be sentenced on February 27.

Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County and federal courts for Newsday. A native of Long Island, he joined Newsday in 2022.