The recent murder of Brooklyn-based artist Sabina Rosas has left New York residents in shock after her body was discovered at the renowned Shou Sugi Ban House spa. The Suffolk County Police reported that a spa employee found Rosas, 33, deceased in one of the 13 private studios at the upscale retreat on Tuesday afternoon, but authorities have yet to release details on her cause of death.
A Suffolk County Police Department crime scene van and a Southampton town police car arrived at the scene around 4 p.m. EST and secured the area with tape, contrasting starkly with the otherwise serene environment of the Hamptons resort. Known for offering luxurious stays priced at $1,000 per night, Shou Sugi Ban House has attracted celebrities like Kate Hudson, who hosted a star-studded event there in 2022. The tranquil setting has typically served as a peaceful haven, making the violent act even more jarring to locals.
Jean Wong, a local resident, expressed the community’s disbelief over the murder. “It’s just so uncharacteristic of this area, and that area in particular,” Wong told the New York Post. “It’s very ironic, because you go to a place like that for relaxation and comfort. What could have brought on a murder?”
Originally from Tajikistan, Rosas fled to Turkmenistan in 1993 due to political unrest and later returned to Tajikistan to study painting. In 2009, she moved to the United States to continue her studies, ultimately earning a bachelor’s degree in new media from Purchase College, according to the New York Daily News. Though she had been residing in Tajikistan recently, Rosas was visiting the Shou Sugi Ban House for reasons yet undisclosed.
Rosas’ husband, who currently splits his time between Florida and New York, flew to the city on Tuesday to meet with law enforcement, according to a roommate who spoke to the press. “I think everyone is in shock,” they remarked, reflecting the general sentiment following the artist’s untimely death.
Local resident Lisa Stach shared a similar sense of disbelief, initially mistaking the news coverage for celebrity-related incidents that occasionally stir the quiet community. “I drove by earlier and saw these news trucks and thought, ‘Uh oh, what did Justin Timberlake do this time?’” Stach commented, alluding to recent celebrity attention the area received after Timberlake faced a DWI charge.
The investigation is ongoing, and Suffolk County Police have yet to release further information. This tragic incident has disturbed the peaceful atmosphere of the Hamptons retreat, leaving many grappling with the irony of such violence at a place known for calm and wellness.