$25K reward in murder of Chaim Weiss

After more than 26 years of unanswered questions, Nassau County police have reopened the cold case murder of Chaim Weiss, a Long Beach rabbinical student, and offered a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the murder.

Weiss, a 15-year-old, third-year rabbinical student at the Mesivta of Long Beach, was found slain in his dormitory bedroom on Nov. 1, 1986.

“I am appealing to you and urging you, that any information that you feel the police might need, please contact the police department,” said Anton Weiss, Chaim’s father. “Please help do the right thing.”

Det. Lt. John Azzata, commanding officer of the homicide squad, and Chief of Detectives Rick Capece, along with County Executive Ed Mangano, joined Weiss at a press conference in Mineola on Tuesday, where they asked the public to come forward with any information that could help solve the case.

“We implore anyone out there who may have information to please share it with our Crime Stoppers hotline,” Mangano said. “This is about bringing a killer to justice.”

Police said that the murder occurred in Weiss’s room on the third-floor of the dormitory, at 63 E. Beech St., and that the cause of death was multiple stab wounds to the head.

Police said that there was no sign of forced entry, but that the window in Weiss’s room was left open. This was significant, Azzata said, because it corresponded with Jewish tradition that a window should be left open when a person dies, in order for the soul to depart — something that led police in the 1980s to believe the killer was familiar with Jewish ritual.

Capece and Azzata said they are reviewing forensic evidence, but would not disclose whether any recent progress has been made in the case. They said the department systematically reviews cold cases, and said they had reason to believe there was more information to be attained in the Weiss killing. Following an initial announcement last week, tips have already been coming in, they said.

“We feel, after this time period … maybe we can get more information, new leads and go in new directions,” said Azzata. “There is somebody out there that knows a secret. I’m looking for that person to give me that secret.”

Azzata and Capece said that police believe it is possible that they are missing key information, because those with pertinent knowledge may be reluctant to make accusations because to do so may conflict with Jewish law.

“The Homicide Squad is aware of the Jewish Orthodox belief that one should not call [anyone to account] unless there is positive proof that that individual was involved in such incident,” said Capece. “We are sensitive to, and respect that belief. However, a homicide has occurred and we need any information that can help us solve this case, and bring justice and peace to the Weiss family. The police department is not asking anyone of accuse someone, but to only come forward with any information pertaining to this case.”

Capece said that the department would like to interview every student, faculty member or employee that was involved with the yeshiva at the time.

“The Mesivta of Long Beach applauds the perseverance of the Nassau County Police Department as it commences the reinvestigation of the tragic but unsolved murder,” said Rabbis Chaim Moberman and Mordecai Respler in a statement issued by the Mesivta. “We have met with the police department, and pledged our full cooperation in the investigation.”

Crime Stoppers is asking anyone who has information about this crime to call 800-244-TIPS, or Homicide Squad at 516-573-7788.

Alexandra Spychalsky is a staff reporter for the Long Beach Herald