The man found murdered, bound and gagged, in his West 22nd Street apartment was seen walking to the building's elevator with two Latino men on Friday night. The Wall Street Journal reports, "The tenant told police that on a separate occasion he saw the same men waiting in the lobby for [victim John] Laubach and invited them to his apartment, but grew uncomfortable and asked them to leave, the official said. The tenant is helping police compose a sketch of the two men."
Laubach's body was found on Friday evening, after a friend was unable to reach him. His body was reportedly found with his arms bound with duct tape and electrical cords; his legs were also bound, and his mouth was covered with duct tape. Police sources told the Post that it seemed like whomever was in the apartment tried to cover it up, and a source told the Journal that Laubach's apartment "appeared ransacked, and investigators could not find his computer... Surveillance photos recovered from a nearby Chase bank show someone trying to use Mr. Laubach's ATM card and apparently carrying his laptop, the official said."
The 57-year-old had been working towards becoming an Episcopal priest and was remembered as a kind and dedicated man. Laubach was also a familiar figure in the neighborhood because he'd often walk with his cockatoo on his shoulder; Animal Care & Control says the bird is doing fine and it will go to a family member, if one is interested.
