Found Deceased NY - Joseph Comunale, 26, Manhattan, 12 Nov 2016 #1 *Arrests*

[kaen]

The fact that the group arrived at 4am and the victim left at some point and returned at 7:30am leads me to think that it's probable that this was a drug deal gone very, very bad (think Michael Alig aka Party Monster).

On another note: Based on the latest description of James' apartment, this claim by Jeffrey Rackover didn't seem credible:
'Jeffrey went to sleep on Saturday night, then at 10am he went down to Jimmy's apartment to walk to dog.*The place looked fine,'
Source:Source (https://www.google.com/amp/...er-treated-like-son-giving-name.html?0p19G=e)

He might not have been killed in the living room but in a bedroom. It seems plausible that the living room/kitchen area looked good. I believe the evidence collected was sheets and his clothing--- making me think bedroom rather than living room.

 

[Inthedetails]

The fact that the group arrived at 4am and the victim left at some point and returned at 7:30am leads me to think that it's probable that this was a drug deal gone very, very bad (think Michael Alig aka Party Monster).

On another note: Based on the latest description of James' apartment, this claim by Jeffrey Rackover didn't seem credible:
'Jeffrey went to sleep on Saturday night, then at 10am he went down to Jimmy's apartment to walk to dog. The place looked fine.'

Source:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.dail...der-treated-like-son-giving-name.html?0p19G=e

Yeah, I'm kinda wondering how that morning visit went as well. If he just stepped in the entry way to get the dog and leash, then maybe he didn't notice anything. But wouldn't he wonder where James was? And when he brought the dog back, did he go into the apt? Something seems off.

I'm assuming James was not there at the time.

Do we know when James and friend departed the city for Jersey and when they returned?

jmo

 

[Momoffourboys]

RSBM

If so... what a way to repay his benefactor !!
:moo:

True. No matter how nice things looked on the surface, an ugly heart always comes through. Shame. James got a second chance at a very priveleged and luxurious life and he chose to destroy it and take the life of another.

 

[HastingsChi]

Yeah, I'm kinda wondering how that morning visit went as well. If he just stepped in the entry way to get the dog and leash, then maybe he didn't notice anything. But wouldn't he wonder where James was? And when he brought the dog back, did he go into the apt? Something seems off.

I'm assuming James was not there at the time.

Do we know when James and friend departed the city for Jersey and when they returned?

jmo

They didn't go to NJ until Sunday evening...

 

[HastingsChi]

True. No matter how nice things looked on the surface, an ugly heart always comes through. Shame. James got a second chance at a very priveleged and luxurious life and he chose to destroy it and take the life of another.

Sadly of James had served his entire prison term, he wouldn't have been free to be involved in this murder.

 

[trigger]

Cops are looking to question at least one other person, sources said.

Father figure Jeffrey agreed to let James legally take his last name and helped the younger man find a one-bedroom apartment in his posh East Side high rise, Dietl said.

He even subsidized the rent and found Rackover a job with global management consultants Willis Towers Watson. James celebrated Passover seders with Jeffrey’s parents in the elder man’s apartment, according to Dietl.

James Rackover was home with friends beginning Saturday night watching the Ultimate Fighting pay-per-view eventbefore going out to a Meatpacking District nightclub.

The motive for the gut-wrenching attack remained under investigation, although sources indicated the killing occurred after Comunale rejected the sexual advances of one of the men inside the apartment.


They are in manhattan detention center and their next court appearance will be Nov 21st.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...-partygoer-stabbed-15-times-article-1.2877608

 

[epiphany]

Looks like neither has been charged with murder yet:

<snip> But neither is charged with killing Joseph Comunale. Investigators have no doubts they have a murder, but did one of the men — or both — do it? That’s the question they are working to answer.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...-partygoer-stabbed-15-times-article-1.2877608


<snip> James Rackover, 25, and Lawrence Dilione, 28, of Oceanport, were charged overnight with hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence and concealment of a corpse in the fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Joseph "Joey" Comunale, of Stamford...

...Prosecutors said in court that "one or both of these people committed a murder." Prosecutors said the investigation continues.

http://abc7ny.com/news/2-arraigned-overnight-in-connection-with-murder-of-conn-man-/1613498/

 

[trigger]

Wow so James did not meet Jeffrey at a gym---

Jeffrey, a lifetime bachelor, told friends that James showed up at his door one day a few years ago, saying he was the son of a Florida woman who had a brief affair with Jeffrey two decades earlier.

James, whose real name is James Beaudoin, took Rackover as his last name after Jeffrey took him in and introduced him to a lavish lifestyle that included first-class trips to Europe and summers in the Hamptons.

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161117/upper-east-side/arrest-murder-nj-grave-clubbing-party

 

[epiphany]

Wow so James did not meet Jeffrey at a gym---

Jeffrey, a lifetime bachelor, told friends that James showed up at his door one day a few years ago, saying he was the son of a Florida woman who had a brief affair with Jeffrey two decades earlier.

James, whose real name is James Beaudoin, took Rackover as his last name after Jeffrey took him in and introduced him to a lavish lifestyle that included first-class trips to Europe and summers in the Hamptons.

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161117/upper-east-side/arrest-murder-nj-grave-clubbing-party

I believe that is what Jeffrey told his family and friends in order to allow James to have a clean start, or to simply explain his close relationship with James.

Bo Dietl states Jeffrey met him at a Manhattan gym.

 

[JerseyGirl]

DailyMail posted a timeline:

Saturday Night: Comunale meets Rackover and Dilione while partying at The Gilded Lily in New York City

Sunday, 4:00am: Comunale returns to Rackover's apartment with Dilione and three women.

Sunday, 6:30am: The three women leave the building.

Sunday, 7:30am: Comunale is seen on surveillance reentering the building.

Sunday evening: A man in Rackover's apartment calls to request a luggage cart. Soon after two men roll out two suitcases on the cart. Comunale's body is driven to New Jersey in a Mercedes Benz.

Tuesday, 8:00am: Comunale is reported missing by his father.

Wednesday morning: A man, possibly Rackover or Dilione, reveals the location of Comunale's body to police.

Wednesday afternoon: Comunale's body is found buried in a shallow grave on Oceanport, New Jersey, where Dilione grew up. Dilione's offices are just minutes from the wooded area. Dilione and Rackover are held by police.

Thursday afternoon: Rackover and Dilion are charged with murder. Judge sets bond at $3 million each.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Jeffrey-Rackover-New-York.html#ixzz4QMv92CTP

 

[Eileen730]

Sadly of James had served his entire prison term, he wouldn't have been free to be involved in this murder.

How many times has this exact thing been said in soo many others cases here on Websleuths?

Way too many!

 

[Inthedetails]

DailyMail posted a timeline:

Saturday Night: Comunale meets Rackover and Dilione while partying at The Gilded Lily in New York City

Sunday, 4:00am: Comunale returns to Rackover's apartment with Dilione and three women.

Sunday, 6:30am: The three women leave the building.

Sunday, 7:30am: Comunale is seen on surveillance reentering the building.

Sunday evening: A man in Rackover's apartment calls to request a luggage cart. Soon after two men roll out two suitcases on the cart. Comunale's body is driven to New Jersey in a Mercedes Benz.

Tuesday, 8:00am: Comunale is reported missing by his father.

Wednesday morning: A man, possibly Rackover or Dilione, reveals the location of Comunale's body to police.

Wednesday afternoon: Comunale's body is found buried in a shallow grave on Oceanport, New Jersey, where Dilione grew up. Dilione's offices are just minutes from the wooded area. Dilione and Rackover are held by police.

Thursday afternoon: Rackover and Dilion are charged with murder. Judge sets bond at $3 million each.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Jeffrey-Rackover-New-York.html#ixzz4QMv92CTP

Add to that:

10:30: Jeffrey (the "father") shows up at the apartment to walk the dog. Says nothing looked amiss.

??

 

[Inthedetails]

Wow so James did not meet Jeffrey at a gym---

Jeffrey, a lifetime bachelor, told friends that James showed up at his door one day a few years ago, saying he was the son of a Florida woman who had a brief affair with Jeffrey two decades earlier.

James, whose real name is James Beaudoin, took Rackover as his last name after Jeffrey took him in and introduced him to a lavish lifestyle that included first-class trips to Europe and summers in the Hamptons.

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20161117/upper-east-side/arrest-murder-nj-grave-clubbing-party

Nah, I think that was a cover story.

I think Jeffrey was smitten with the young, handsome James and they set up an arrangement. It seems "old-school" to me - where Jeffrey didn't want to out in the open about their relationship, but wanted a story that allowed them to be together in public.

JMopinion, of course.

 

[HastingsChi]

The apartment where the murder occurred:

http://streeteasy.com/sale/1106070

There is a police source that has said that the victim's broken pelvis leads them to suspect that they dropped the luggage with the body from the third floor balcony.

However I don't buy it because if that occurred than why the need for a bellman's cart? Additionally if one looks at the photos in the link above, the balcony is too exposed to hundreds of potential witnesses both from the building across the way and pedestrians. When 180lbs hits the pavement it's gonna make a loud thud regardless of how durable the luggage is...

 

[Inthedetails]

The apartment where the murder occurred:

http://streeteasy.com/sale/1106070

There is a police source that has said that the victim's broken pelvis leads them to suspect that they dropped the luggage with the body from the third floor balcony.

However I don't buy it because if that occurred than why the need for a bellman's cart? Additionally if one looks at the photos in the link above, the balcony is too exposed to hundreds of potential witnesses both from the building across the way and pedestrians. When 180lbs hits the pavement it's gonna make a loud thud regardless of how durable the luggage is...

There was a 911 call from someone who reported someone disposing of something in a strange way. I don't have the link handy....but something strange was noticed and it was strange enough to trigger a 911 call.

We're missing some info...

jmopinion

 

[HastingsChi]

There was a 911 call from someone who reported someone disposing of something in a strange way. I don't have the link handy....but something strange was noticed and it was strange enough to trigger a 911 call.

We're missing some info...

jmopinion

Yes, you're absolutely right; there was some sort of report about strange activity. Do we know if NYPD responded to that report?

There is one piece of photographic evidence that makes the body in luggage dropped from balcony plausible:
The image of a detective closely examining the bench and bushes located in the area below the balcony. However one can see the top of the bushes in the photo and the bushes do not appear to have been disturbed.

While I don't have any experience with disposing of a corpse, logically I would be concerned that as a result of the impact of dropping a 180lb human that is concealed in luggage from 30 feet high, the luggage would break or, if it was a large, soft canvas bag, that the zipper would burst and the body would be exposed or fall out of the luggage.

Like I said, I have no experience in this so I really don't know if I'm right...

 

[epiphany]

<snip> "We're treating this case as a homicide. Both of these defendants were seen in the basement adjusting the surveillance camera. Dilione is the last person who saw Joseph Comunale alive.&#8221; [ADA A. Carter]

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...-partygoer-stabbed-15-times-article-1.2877608

Also, seeing reference to body was bludgeoned for first time ("police said").

Could that explain the broken pelvis? Body, whether in luggage/duffel bag or not, thrown from window or balcony is hard for me to believe.

 

[TroyinTX]

What an awful case. JC was a very handsome guy. Had his whole life ahead of him, but trusted the wrong people. And if the report that he was killed for resisting sexual advances are true, that is even more chilling.

 

[epiphany]

<snip> Mr. Comunale added: &#8220;I&#8217;m telling you, he was universally loved by everybody. You can&#8217;t find anybody to say a bad word about this kid. Unfortunately, he ran into the wrong guy at the wrong time. The wrong guys at the wrong time, because if it was just one guy he certainly could have handled himself.&#8221;

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/18/n...-buried-body-is-found-in-new-jersey.html?_r=0

 

[jenves]

I'm guessing and so it's JMO but the broken pelvis probably stems from trying to fit an 180 pound man, who forgive I cannot recall his height into luggage. Such a scary sad situation.