NYPD Find Charred Body In Storage Unit In Search For Missing Teacher Jeanine Cammarata

In their search for an elementary school teacher who went missing Saturday, the New York Police Department on Thursday found charred human remains at a storage facility. The New York City medical examiner's office is conducting an autopsy to identify and determine the cause of death of the person.

Police are still searching for Jeanine Cammarata, 37, a mother of three from Staten Island, after she was last seen at her boyfriend's house on Saturday.

Police are investigating her disappearance as a murder, with her estranged husband, Michael Cammarata, 42, considered a primary suspect.

"With the discovery of these human remains, the investigation has taken a turn into a murder investigation," Chief William F. Aubry said at a press conference. "We are working with the Staten Island district attorney to establish probable cause and justification to charge him with murder."

Aubry would not say if or when Michael Cammarata would be charged with murder.

Michael Cammarata was seen in surveillance footage at the facility where the body was found and has been held in custody since Tuesday on unrelated assault and stalking charges.

He allegedly confessed to hitting Jeanine in the past.

The pair have been in divorce proceedings since February as well as a child custody case.

Those who knew Jeanine say she feared Michael. Jeanine's landlord, Jose Perez, said he witnessed harassment and that Michael would follow her in his car.

Friends, co-workers and family grew concerned for Jeanine after she didn't show up to work and missed an appearance in divorce court Monday.