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Updated 07/14/2009 09:01 AM

Medical Examiner IDs Body Of Missing Cleaning Woman

By: NY1 News

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The medical examiner's office has identified the body found in a Lower Manhattan office building over the weekend as that of a missing cleaning woman.

Eridania Rodriguez went missing during her shift at the building last Tuesday. Her body was found stuffed into an air conditioning duct at the building Saturday.

The medical examiner's office says Rodriguez died of asphyxiation caused by tape applied to her face.

Police say her hands were tied behind her back, her feet were bound, and she had suffered a head wound.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for a man being questioned about Rodriguez's disappearance says his client went home sick before she even arrived for work.

Attorney Mario Gallucci says Joseph Pabon denies having anything to do with her disappearance.

"We are extremely disappointed in the way he has been treated by the New York City Police Department," Gallucci said. "The deputy police commissioner this morning I read said he's not a suspect in this crime. Although they held him for 25 hours without food, without water, without the opportunity to use a restroom."

Galucci says Pabon was previously charged with criminal mischief in an incident involving his girlfriend. He says that issue has since been resolved.

Gallucci said his client did not even know Rodriguez and expresses his sympathy to her family.