# Central Park sexual assault investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/central-park-sexual-assault-investigation
> Updated: 2026-10-27T05:22:08.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 2.

New York City police are investigating a sexual assault that occurred on the night of Saturday, October 24, near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan’s Central Park. A 39-year-old woman was approached by a man brandishing a knife and forced into a wooded area where the assault took place. A bystander witnessed the incident and alerted authorities.

The victim was transported to a local hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. The suspect, described as a man in his 30s wearing a black hoodie, black sweatpants, and carrying a black backpack, fled the scene heading westbound. 

On October 27, the NYPD released surveillance images to assist in identifying the suspect. While investigators continue to review footage, local residents have expressed growing concerns regarding safety in the park after dark. This incident marks the fifth sexual assault or rape recorded in the Central Park Precinct since the beginning of 2024, an increase from the three cases recorded during the same period last year.

## Claims

- A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in Central Park. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The assault occurred on Saturday, October 24, around 8:30 p.m. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The suspect threatened the victim with a knife. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The victim is in stable condition at a hospital. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The suspect is believed to be in his 30s. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The suspect wore a black hooded top, black pants, and carried a black backpack. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- This is the fifth rape case recorded in Central Park since the start of 2024. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: NYPD seeks suspect in Central Park sexual assault

The NYPD is searching for a man who threatened a woman with a knife and sexually assaulted her in Central Park. The suspect, wearing black clothing, remains at large.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/central-park-sexual-assault-investigation-underway-in-new-york

### 2026-10-25: Central Park: Woman sexually assaulted at knifepoint

Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted a 39-year-old woman at knifepoint in Manhattan's Central Park on Saturday night. The suspect remains at large.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/woman-sexually-assaulted-at-knifepoint-in-central-park

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Cite as: Central Park sexual assault investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/central-park-sexual-assault-investigation