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Atlantic City entertainer's unsolved 1985 murder haunts family, authorities
April 4 2019
"ATLANTIC CITY - When Raul "Cooks Books" Suarez was laid to rest in 1985, flowers came from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
"He was very connected," Blanche Morro said of her uncle, an Atlantic City cabbie and entertainer whose brutal stabbing death 34 years ago this week remains unsolved.
But Suarez's most treasured ties were with his community, and he was always eager to help those in need.
"I hear a million stories, even 34 years later," Morro said. "People say they don't know how he made a living because he was always giving free rides in his cab."
"He was the first Atlantic City ambassador ... he was always there for everybody, and helped people along with their careers."
Suarez also was the emcee at Atlantic City's 500 Club, where he met entertainers such as Sinatra and was given the stage name "Cooks Books." Some also called him "Cookie," Mario Suarez said.
Working day and night, Raul Suarez hosted a cable-TV program and radio-talk show in Atlantic City, and was involved with the March of Dimes telethon broadcast.
He even made some unplanned appearances at Grabels, a popular Atlantic City restaurant and lounge, Morro said.
"Sometimes, he would leave his cab running outside, and run in to sing a couple of songs with the band."
"Suarez was known for his positive outlook, summed up with a personal motto — "Every Day is a Miracle" — that was emblazoned in sticker letters on his taxi."
"Though investigators classified the apparently random crime as a robbery, Morro said her uncle was still wearing his jewelry and had $40 in his pocket."
"Absecon Police received a report about a man's body lying in the eastbound lane of Route 30 at 1:45 a.m. on March 31, 1985. "
"The driver who reported finding Suarez's body said he saw two men fighting inside a car parked on the shoulder earlier that morning. When the driver returned to the scene, he found the car gone and Suarez slumped and bleeding on the ground, according to a United Press International report after the murder.
When Suarez's 1979 Chevy Caprice Classic was found on North Michigan Avenue in Atlantic City, its front seat was covered with blood, the UPI story said."
"Because of new improvements in DNA technology, if we can find someone in the database that is closely related to the person, it can still lead us there. Any clue right now would be wonderful."
Investigators are actively retesting evidence in the case, Morro added."
April 4 2019
"ATLANTIC CITY - When Raul "Cooks Books" Suarez was laid to rest in 1985, flowers came from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
"He was very connected," Blanche Morro said of her uncle, an Atlantic City cabbie and entertainer whose brutal stabbing death 34 years ago this week remains unsolved.
But Suarez's most treasured ties were with his community, and he was always eager to help those in need.
"I hear a million stories, even 34 years later," Morro said. "People say they don't know how he made a living because he was always giving free rides in his cab."
"He was the first Atlantic City ambassador ... he was always there for everybody, and helped people along with their careers."
Suarez also was the emcee at Atlantic City's 500 Club, where he met entertainers such as Sinatra and was given the stage name "Cooks Books." Some also called him "Cookie," Mario Suarez said.
Working day and night, Raul Suarez hosted a cable-TV program and radio-talk show in Atlantic City, and was involved with the March of Dimes telethon broadcast.
He even made some unplanned appearances at Grabels, a popular Atlantic City restaurant and lounge, Morro said.
"Sometimes, he would leave his cab running outside, and run in to sing a couple of songs with the band."
"Suarez was known for his positive outlook, summed up with a personal motto — "Every Day is a Miracle" — that was emblazoned in sticker letters on his taxi."
"Though investigators classified the apparently random crime as a robbery, Morro said her uncle was still wearing his jewelry and had $40 in his pocket."
"Absecon Police received a report about a man's body lying in the eastbound lane of Route 30 at 1:45 a.m. on March 31, 1985. "
"The driver who reported finding Suarez's body said he saw two men fighting inside a car parked on the shoulder earlier that morning. When the driver returned to the scene, he found the car gone and Suarez slumped and bleeding on the ground, according to a United Press International report after the murder.
When Suarez's 1979 Chevy Caprice Classic was found on North Michigan Avenue in Atlantic City, its front seat was covered with blood, the UPI story said."
"Because of new improvements in DNA technology, if we can find someone in the database that is closely related to the person, it can still lead us there. Any clue right now would be wonderful."
Investigators are actively retesting evidence in the case, Morro added."
