Neighbors find body parts in bag

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - More tragic evidence has been discovered in the murder of a young mother in Niagara Falls. A father is now begging the community to come forward, if they know anything about the gruesome crime.

“If they remember anything, a phone number, a person who last saw Loretta, that said they saw her come forward. Let us know. Let the police know,” said Arthur Gates, the father of Loretta Gates.

The heartbreak continues for a father and Niagara Falls family after two neighbors made a gruesome discovery on Duck Island Sunday. They found a trash bag with a head and a hand inside.

MORE | Police had already confirmed through DNA testing that a torso pulled from the river four days after Gates was last seen belongs to the mother of 3

Niagara Falls Police say finger print testing confirmed the remains belonged to Gates. The 30-year-old mother went missing back in August, and days later her torso was found floating near the Rainbow Bridge.

The horrific crime has terrified neighbors. Neighbor Thomas Barnett said, “I got my kids calling me, my sisters, I talk to them everyday. I make sure I know where they are, it's scary.”

Neighbor John Hart said, “It has brought our neighbors closer together and everybody is watching, but what more can we do?”

Niagara Falls Police continue to investigate the case. Anyone with information is asked to call 286-4553.