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Retired Queens Veteran Found Strangled In Home

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Jul 7, 2009 6:50 pm US/Eastern

Retired Queens Veteran Found Strangled In Home

84-Year-Old Man Bound And Gagged In His Own Bed; Police Making Progress With Investigation

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

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An 84-year-old, retired veteran was found dead and tied up in his bed by police Tuesday in Queens.

Officer Kelly Presser said the discovery was made inside the victim's home on 216th Street in Queens Village.

"He was bound," Presser said. "Actually, a coat hanger was used to bind his hands. His feet were bound with bathrobe I believe. Duct tape was put over is mouth."

According to a medical examiner, Cyril Williams was killed by manual strangulation. He was a former US postal worker, and lived alone.

Presser said the killer allegedly broke into Williams' home.

"We believe the assailant entered the house through the basement window," Presser said.

Neighbors, including Glenna Conelli, described Williams as a friendly widower who kept to himself.

"He was a quiet man, a gentleman," Conelli said. "Just a nice neighbor."

Dolores Shea, also a Queens Village resident, agreed.

"(Hew was a) real nice, quiet man," Shea said. "He always looked nice, a real gentleman."

Conelli and Shea, among others, added that Williams suffered from dementia and had recently been hospitalized. A home aid reportedly would often come and check up on him.

"When he was feeling better he was tending to his garden, taking care of his property," Conelli said. "You couldn't ask for a nicer neighbor."

Police have not given up many details on the investigation or possible motives, but said they are making progress.

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