SON ARRESTED — Stabbed Mom, Dumped Body

Person in handcuffs with hands behind back.

A Long Island son stands accused of stabbing his own mother to death and abandoning her body in a remote wooded area, a chilling reminder that evil sometimes lurks closest to home.

Story Snapshot

Curtis Trent Jr., 36, arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Kathleen Harrison Trent, 63
Victim’s body discovered in Manorville woods on February 11, two weeks after she was last seen at her Riverhead home
Court documents allege stabbing as cause of death, though official autopsy results remain undisclosed by authorities
Community rallied around beloved Riverhead Raceway employee, raising over $8,000 for funeral costs before suspect was identified

Missing Person Report Leads to Grim Discovery

Kathleen Harrison Trent was last seen at her Riverhead home on January 27, 2026. Two days later, one of her sons reported her missing to Riverhead Town Police, triggering a search that would end in heartbreak. Suffolk County Police discovered her body on February 11 in a wooded area off Connecticut Avenue in Manorville, approximately six miles from her residence. The Suffolk County Medical Examiner confirmed her identity and determined the death was criminal in nature, prompting a homicide investigation that would ultimately focus on her own family.

Arrest and Charges Against Family Member

Suffolk County Police arrested Curtis Trent Jr. on February 25, 2026, charging him with second-degree murder in connection with his mother’s death. Court documents reveal prosecutors allege he stabbed the 63-year-old woman, though authorities have not publicly released the official cause of death or disclosed what investigative methods led them to identify him as the suspect. Trent was arraigned the same day in Riverhead Town Justice Court and remains in custody. Police continue seeking information from the public, encouraging anyone with knowledge of the case to contact detectives.

Beloved Community Figure Mourned by Racing Community

Kathleen Harrison Trent worked for decades at Riverhead Raceway, a historic auto racing venue that serves as a cornerstone of the local community. Family members described her as a loving and caring mother whose grandchildren meant the world to her. Before Curtis Trent’s arrest, his sister-in-law Adrieanna Bulak organized a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, raising over $8,000 from community members eager to give the beloved grandmother a proper farewell. The outpouring of support underscores the shock and grief rippling through Riverhead’s tight-knit racing community, where Trent was known and respected.

Unanswered Questions Surround Family Tragedy

Critical details remain undisclosed as the investigation continues. Authorities have not revealed what evidence connected Curtis Trent to the crime or what possible motive may have driven the alleged matricide. The identity of which son initially reported Kathleen missing remains unclear, as she had at least two sons including Curtis and Robby. Suffolk County’s remote wooded areas, like the Connecticut Avenue location where the body was found, have unfortunately served as dumping grounds in previous criminal cases due to their rural seclusion. This tragic case highlights the vulnerability even within families, a reality that challenges our fundamental expectations of safety and trust in those closest to us.