Jul 31, 2009 12:59 pm US/Eastern
Police Probing Murder Of UES Holocaust Survivor
Investigators Sense Foul Play In Bloody Death Of 89-Year-Old Felix Brinkman
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
89-year-old Felix Brinkman, a Holocaust survivor and resident of the Upper East Side, was discovered brutally murdered in his apartment on July 30, 2009.
CBS
An elderly Holocaust survivor was found bloodied and battered inside his Upper East Side apartment Friday.
The building's supervisor found 89-year-old Felix Brinkman face down on the floor of his bedroom with a cloth covering his tied-up hands and his head covered in blood.
Police at the scene removed evidence from the East 65th Street building that included a wrapped-up chair and living room computer, among other things.
Brinkman was a survivor of the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp and was well-known around Manhattan for his time running the popular Adams Apple Disco in the 1970s.
Others in Brinkman's building said he was well-liked by all.
"He was a terrific guy … a friendly guy," said one resident.
Police stated they have no reason to believe the building was broken-into, although the apartment was visibly searched and ransacked. Officials spent all morning speaking with the 24-hour staff of doormen, as well as checking logbooks and surveillance videos.
They are also hoping to question a man and woman who visited Brinkman regularly.
Another building resident, known to CBS 2 HD as "Katie," believes police are probably correct in suspecting an inside job.
"I do feel this is a very well-maintained building," she said. "I'm friendly with a lot of the doorman, and I do feel it would have to be someone who knew the occupant to get by them."
Brinkman was a close friend of famed ex-NYPD Det. Bo Dietl, who also spent years as a security consultant. Dietl called Brinkman, who was his son's Godfather, an "amazing man," and was the person who notified police officials that he hadn't heard from Brinkman in a while.
Ron Buchter, who lives in the building, said Brinkman undoubtedly had a fulfilling life before his tragic end.
"He had a full life, even with the Adams Apple," Buchter said. "The Upper East Side 30 to 40 years ago was the epicenter of the world in terms of the 1960's revolution."
Investigators also examined the building's basement, and found that Brinkman's Honda Accord was missing from the garage. The car's license plate reads "Felix B."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
World's Most Useless Facts
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments