NYPD: 2 arrested in murder of Joseph Comunale whose body was found in Oceanport

The New York City Police Department has charged two people in the murder of a Connecticut man whose body was found in a shallow grave in Oceanport. James Rackover, 25, of New York, and Lawrence Dilione,

News 12 Staff

Nov 18, 2016, 8:06 AM

Updated 2,725 days ago

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NYPD: 2 arrested in murder of Joseph Comunale whose body was found in Oceanport
The New York City Police Department has charged two people in the murder of a Connecticut man whose body was found in a shallow grave in Oceanport.
James Rackover, 25, of New York, and Lawrence Dilione, 28, of Jersey City, were charged with the murder of 26-year-old Joseph Comunale. The pair was also charged with concealment of a human corpse and tampering with evidence.
Officials say that Comunale's body was found in a shallow grave behind Foggia's Florist on Monmouth Boulevard in Oceanport. Comunale has apparently been stabbed over a dozen times. His body was burned and stuffed into a suitcase.
Authorities say that the location in Oceanport was chosen as a dumping ground because Dilione is originally from the town.
No one from Dilione's family answered the door at their Cayuga Drive home for comment. Neighbors in Oceanport, as well as at Dilione's Jersey City apartment tell News 12 New Jersey that they are stunned to hear the news that he is accused in the crime.
Comunale, of Stamford, Connecticut, was last seen at an apartment building on East 59th Street in Manhattan Sunday morning. Police say Comunale had gone into the city with friends to a club but was later seen going to a party with different people.
Comunale was reported missing on Tuesday by his father when he did not come home.
At the East 59th Street building, police say detectives found bloodied clothing and sheets.
Comunale's family says that arrests didn't quell their anger over the killing of their loved one.
"These guys were animals. I wouldn't treat an animal I wouldn't treat a squirrel this way what they tried to do is just preposterous and what else you can say I hope they get everything they deserve," says Pat Comunale, the victim's father.
Police were reportedly tipped to the location of Comunale's body while questioning one of the residents in the 59th Street apartment building.


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