Post by Scumhunter on Apr 5, 2019 3:55:17 GMT -5
(Above photo credit: courierpostonline.com)
From the Atlantic City Courier-Post: (courierpostonline.com):
ATLANTIC CITY - When Raul "Cooks Books" Suarez was laid to rest in 1985, flowers came from the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra.
"He was very connected," Blanche Morro said of her uncle, an Atlantic City cabbie and entertainer whose brutal stabbing death 34 years ago this week remains unsolved.
But Suarez's most treasured ties were with his community, and he was always eager to help those in need.
"I hear a million stories, even 34 years later," Morro said. "People say they don't know how he made a living because he was always giving free rides in his cab.
"He was the first Atlantic City ambassador ... he was always there for everybody, and helped people along with their careers."
Morro, who made her own name in entertainment as Atlantic City's "Singing Bartender," said her uncle was also a mentor to her.
"When he passed away, detectives were looking for evidence in the house, and they found letters he had stamped and ready to go to producers and music-industry people on my behalf."
Morro was 20 when Suarez was killed on March 31, 1985. Her brother, Mario Suarez — a retired Atlantic City police officer who now has his own private investigation company — was 18. The Egg Harbor Township siblings are now the only surviving relatives.
Morro and Mario Suarez maintain two Facebook pages dedicated to their uncle. One called "Help Solve the Murder of Cooks Books Suarez," includes any updates on the case and pleas for information. Another page, "Cooks Books Suarez," contains photos and memories from their uncle's entertainment career.
"My brother and I went everywhere with him," Morro recalled. "He was like a second dad."
Many other local kids enjoyed time with Suarez when he played Santa Claus at the iconic Zaberers restaurant in Egg Harbor Township.
Suarez also was the emcee at Atlantic City's 500 Club, where he met entertainers such as Sinatra and was given the stage name "Cooks Books." Some also called him "Cookie," Mario Suarez said.
Working day and night, Raul Suarez hosted a cable-TV program and radio-talk show in Atlantic City, and was involved with the March of Dimes telethon broadcast.
He even made some unplanned appearances at Grabels, a popular Atlantic City restaurant and lounge, Morro said.
"Sometimes, he would leave his cab running outside, and run in to sing a couple of songs with the band."
Suarez was known for his positive outlook, summed up with a personal motto — "Every Day is a Miracle" — that was emblazoned in sticker letters on his taxi.
Enduring mystery
Suarez's popularity in the community made his murder even more baffling to his family.
"At the time it happened, it really caught us off guard because he was so loved," Morro said.
Though investigators classified the apparently random crime as a robbery, Morro said her uncle was still wearing his jewelry and had $40 in his pocket.
"The only thing we can figure out is that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Morro, who noted that Suarez did not have the barrier between himself and the backseat that is standard in cabs today. "He was a very outgoing, trusting person."
A bout with polio had affected one of Suarez's hands and Morro believes the disfigurement made him more vulnerable to his attacker.
Absecon Police received a report about a man's body lying in the eastbound lane of Route 30 at 1:45 a.m. on March 31, 1985.
The driver who reported finding Suarez's body said he saw two men fighting inside a car parked on the shoulder earlier that morning. When the driver returned to the scene, he found the car gone and Suarez slumped and bleeding on the ground, according to a United Press International report after the murder.
When Suarez's 1979 Chevy Caprice Classic was found on North Michigan Avenue in Atlantic City, its front seat was covered with blood, the UPI story said.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office posted the facts of the unsolved case on its website this week, along with a personal note about the victim.
“Cooks Books was a very revered member of our community and that his murder has gone unsolved for so many years is a sad tragedy for his family and the greater Atlantic City region alike," Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a statement. "The family and community should know that there are dedicated investigators committed to learning the truth about his homicide."
Over the years, investigators have interviewed more than 160 people in connection with Suarez's murder.
Keeping hope alive
More than a decade ago, Suarez's murder was featured on a show revisiting cold cases, Morro said.
Though so much time has passed, "we have hope," she said.
"Because of new improvements in DNA technology, if we can find someone in the database that is closely related to the person, it can still lead us there. Any clue right now would be wonderful."
Investigators are actively retesting evidence in the case, Morro added.
While finding their uncle's killer is the priority, Morro and her brother also would like to see some kind of lasting tribute to Raul Suarez — such as naming a street, bench or other public fixture in his memory, as has been done for other local entertainers.
"He was an institution in Atlantic City," Morro said.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppersatlantic.com.
amp.courierpostonline.com/amp/3362467002
Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office page on this case: www.acpo.org/investigation-of-34-year-old-unsolved-homicide-of-cooks-books-suarez-continues/
Thoughts?
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