Investigators this week were still searching for a suspect wanted for questioning in the brutal bludgeoning of a 23-year-old man whose body was discovered in a remote area of Forest park last Wednesday.
Cops believe that borough resident Diego Piedrahita was beaten to death with a tree limb, though the purported murder weapon has not been found. Police sources told the New York Daily News that the “killer likely dragged [Piedrahita] to the remote spot on a woody walkway to deliver the final, fatal blows.”
Detectives have issued a request for the public’s assistance in locating Zoltan “Stephen” Forai, 44, an acquaintance of Piedrahita. Described by investigators as 5-foot-7, 170 pounds with brown eyes, brown hair and a beard, Forai’s last known address was in Ridgewood.
In addition to the park mounted unit, Deputy Inspector Deodat Urprasad, commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, said he has beefed up patrols in the 544-acre green space.
“It’s an isolated incident,” Urprasad added. “I can say that it wasn’t a robbery.”
“It’s very unsettling,” said City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Glendale), who often runs in the park. “Safety in Forest Park is so important.”
Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) and state Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) have allocated $250,000 for security cameras in the park. Originally, Miller and Addabbo were going to work with the city Parks Department to place the cameras because the Police Department would not make a commitment that the cameras would definitely go in the park. However, the NYPD promised Miller and Addabbo that the cameras would be set up in areas designated by the elected officials.
Cops also believe a sexual predator, who remains at large, has struck more than half a dozen times in and near Forest Park over the past two years.
By Michael V. Cusenza
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
Crime scene detectives investigate where the body of a 23 year old man in Forest park that was beaten to death near the Jogging paths in the Park. Forum Photos by Robert Stridiron.
