Ariela Mejia-Polanco identified as victim in Cross County Parkway death

On Monday, family, friends, and social media followers gathered outside of Opus Lounge in Inwood, where friends say she worked.

Lauren Del Valle

Aug 19, 2025, 2:15 AM

Updated yesterday

Share:

Westchester County Police confirmed Monday afternoon that the body of the woman found Sunday morning on the Cross County Parkway was 33-year-old Ariela Mejia-Polanco, known on social media as Ariela La Langosta.
On Monday, family, friends, and social media followers gathered outside of Opus Lounge in Inwood, where friends say she worked.
"It's very unfortunate because she did everything for her kids....She's that person that walked in the room, and made everyone smile," said Ocean Hernandez, a former coworker of Ariela Mejia-Polanco's.
According to Westchester County Police, she was found Sunday at 8 a.m. in Mount Vernon dead behind the wheel of a car on the eastbound shoulder near Broad Street on the Cross County Parkway.
The Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office have confirmed she died as a result of a gunshots wound.
Officials with Westchester County Police believe she was quote: "likely targeted for violence and her death was not a random act."
At this time, Westchester County Police say the homicide remains under investigation.