May 18, 2008 8:24 am US/Eastern
Tenafly Victims Dead In Apparent Crime Of Passion
Decomposing Bodies Each Had Multiple Wounds; No Suspects Or Weapons Found
TENAFLY, N.J. (CBS) ―
They were a quiet New Jersey family who kept to themselves; and on Sunday, police and neighbors in Tenafly were still trying to figure out who would want three people dead and why. CBS 2 has new details on the investigation.
"He was a very nice man..."
Kang Kwon Lee says the elderly man murdered along with his commonlaw wife and her adult son inside 169 Tenafly Rd was a customer at his car service station. Lee went to the crime scene on Saturday to confirm the horrible crime, that has left most of the quiet treelined Tenafly neighborhood feeling uneasy.
Police say the victims were targeted in an apparent crime of passion, all stabbed multiple times in separate rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Their bodies lay undiscovered for a week or longer. Police say there was no sign of forced entry. On Saturday, investigators searched storm drains for a weapon. Neighbors told CBS 2 they have no idea who would have wanted to harm them.
"I used to see them outside taking care of their property...cleaning up and doing all the things you'd expect people to do. And they're very quiet and to themselves," said Jim Novick.
Lee says the 26-year-old male victim owned a successful cell phone business and took care of his mother and her life partner in their well kept Tenafly home. Their mysterious murders have opened the eyes of this community.
"Brings you back to reality. Because obviously we're part of a bigger world and people come here and they feel they've escaped and it's not true," said Tenafly Mayor Peter Rustin.
Police have made no arrests and are still trying to track down suspects. Investigators don't believe robbery was a motive, because they say nothing appeared to be taken from the home.
A family member discovered the victims on Friday after not having been able to contact them. Bergen County prosecutors are waiting for dental records to confirm their identities.
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