As the mystery deepens into the death of a 75-year-old grandfather found by a lake in a Queens park suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his neck and back, heartbroken friends said the victim died just weeks after losing his wife to illness, the Daily News has learned.
The lifeless boidy of Albert Itzkowtiz was discovered near Kissena Lake in Kissena Park shortly before 5 p.m. Monday. He had been shot repeatedly, cops said, leaving friends and family wondering who would want to do harm to the “simple, religious” man grieving the loss of his spouse.
“The family is in the early stages of mourning and we’ve had a couple of tough days,” said a friend of the victim, who declined to share his name. “Just two and a half weeks ago, he lost his wife.”
Cops are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine how he died, but an NYPD source with knowledge of the case said detectives are investigating the incident as suspicious. Investigators have been hampered by the remote location where Itzkowitz was found, the source said. That section of the park was far from any surveillance cameras.
Itzkowitz’s friends and family believe he was the victim of foul play.
“There was a crime. What was the motive for the crime? This is very not known yet,” the friend said. “It was definitely a crime. This was assured to us last night from people who were close to the investigation.”
No weapon was found at the scene, cops confirmed.
Itzkowitz worked in the food industry, where he ensured Jewish cuisine met Kosher standards, but had taken time off work in recent months to care for his ailing wife.
“He was a dedicated, simple religious man, who it was a pleasure to be around,” the victim’s friend said. “He cared for his children and grandchildren and gave exceptional care to his late wife.”
The victim was a former Hatzalah volunteer and was the longtime owner of G&I Kosher Bakery, Yeshiva World News reported.
Itzkowitz lived more than two miles away in Kew Gardens Hills.
“A real nice, simple man. One of the rabbis in the neighborhood told me today that he prayed with such piety.”
“I’m hoping it’s not anti-Semitism, because if it is, we’re all in trouble.”