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Subscribe to RSSPolice are investigating the death of a 48-year-old man who was found tied up with a bag over his head at a home in Harlem Monday morning, a law enforcement official told NBC 4 New York.
Authorities said a woman visiting the home -- either a cleaning person or home health-care aide -- discovered the man in 87 Hamilton Place shortly before 10:30 a.m.
Police sources said the victim, identified as Charles Romo, was found on his knees on the bedroom floor with his hands tied behind his back, his legs tied with a belt and tape around his neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
More coverage from NBCNewYork.com
A neighbor told detectives she called police Sunday night after she heard screams from what she thought was an apartment on the first floor, police sources said.
The NYPD responded to her call and found nothing of concern on the first floor. The victim lived on the second floor, which police did not check out because of the nature of the emergency call, police sources told NBC 4 New York.
A medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Clearly, "accidental death" ....
Yea. Probably kinky sex gone bad. :)
yep while sniffing glue from the bag he got carried away and rolled around thus entwining him in the rope, happens all the time.
What a way to go.
But it happened in Harlem. I thought they burned that place down.
I Shocked! Shocked to find their are homicides in Harlem. Simply unimaginable!
Sorry Charlie, only the best make it to Starkissed.
No, obviously it was a suicide...
Good riddance-----New York---the man was useless and shiftless----his body should have been put in a dumpster----------48-years of age and a alcoholic----We southerners take pride in the hanging tree--not the shirt I am wearing---long live our southern heritage
Alan, thank you so much for shedding light for everyone about how ignorant and idiotic southerners can be. Honestly, I take true offense to your lack of value for a human life. I am from Nashville, TN and moved to NYC 5 years ago. I absolutely would never associate with people like you even when I lived in the Music City USA. Go back to your tree and your bigotry and your twisted version of "southern heritage."
@arielann -----What ever you said. You voted for yourself, so could you vote for me? LOL
Some people find really unique ways to commit suicide. By doing it in the fashion that he did it doesn't negate the double indemnity clause of his life insurance policy.
Thanks arielann for a sensitive and intelligent comment. The other comments were in bad taste and simply not funny.
I wonder if it was a Walmart bag.
GM Mary
That or a fast food one.
Mary, Not likely to be a Walmart bag. This happened in NYC...
GM Tramp. It could be glue. Never thought of that. LOL
Ever seen how many holes are in those cheapo Walmart bags, guy woudn't have suffocated.
unbelievable comments left.... no compassion for a person clearly murdered? Someone's life being taken has become so mundane & accepted - unfreaking believable!
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open sewer and die." ---Mel Brooks
No mention of a murder in this article. what do you know that your not saying? and where was you Sunday night? got an alibi?
its called gallows humor
I thought so too. Very inappropriate humour in light of the subject.
See, NYC is really serious about cracking down on serving super sized soft drinks!!!
Clearly a case of a "Big Gulp" gone bad!
GM Denver Bill, Scooter and Mary!
Maybe he was just getting the french fries that fell out into the bag.
WOW a murder not committed by a gun? I didn't think that was possible.
We need to ban plastic bags.
My sympathies to the victims family and friends.
The NYPD responded to her call and found nothing of concern on the first floor. The victim lived on the second floor, which police did not check out because of the nature of the emergency call, police sources told NBC 4 New York. WTF!!!!?
cop speak or code for........no elevator.....
Star twine, Exactly what I was thinking. Someone HEARD screams and THOUGHT it was from a first floor apartment, but they don't check any further? Wow!
Clearly a positive reason to expect police to come to our rescue in time to save our lives when someone is intent on doing us harm. /end sarcasm
Even when they show up, you can't count on them doing anything but turning around an leaving again.
Remember this article folks next time your asked,.." paper or plastic"..?..., think I'll go with paper from now on.
BAN.....kinky sex.....
I bring my own bags.
Don't be a victim. Recycle.
Wonder if this death was preceded by....what?....well its your hundred bucks so....
GM Scooter! Your comments always make me laugh, no matter how sad the story! And before I get blasted for it, I am sorry for this man's death.
This sounds like an episode of the Sopranos! Maybe not kink, since there was tape around his neck, thus securing the plastic bag, but hey! who knows?
GM Nana, Bill , Jack,
The sapronos didn't work Harlem, hell even they wouldn't go down there.
sounds like a mob hit.
r.i.p. charles !
I belive his friends called him Charlie.
Sounds like a Law & Order episode.
Exactly what I was thinking!
48 hours if anything.
SVU! dun dun
Anybody think drugs may have been involved?
not in an upstanding neighborhood like that...surely sir you speak in jest.
Cut it out. I gotta go. I'am laughing to hard. Thanks EVERYONE. Don't kick me off.
Were there two bags or only one? Just how unattractive was this guy?
"A medical examiner will determine the cause of death."
I'll go out on a limb here and guess suffocation from the bag on his head and tape on his neck.
Can we blame this on Assault Rifles? It was GUNS, I know it was the GUNS! Evil, nasty, wicked GUNS! Ban them, Ban them ALL. Ban paper and plastics bags too!
You have to understand NYC lifestyle to see what happened here too.
1. The police heard someone make a complaint that some was crying for help and it sounded like it was on the first foor. They didn't hear the complaint as it "could be" on the first floor, they heard it as it was "only" on the first floor. So, since it wasn't on the first floor, they didn't find the problem. Therefore, it's time to move on. I personally see a problem here but the NYPD probably won't.
It seems like only one person made the complaint. At least someone called the cops, because in many cases the neighbors do not want to get involved. Which shows there is a different definition to being a "neighbor" in NYC.
Now, there could be an issue of weird sex, bad sex, or whatever, as some twinkle-toed, goat riding, kuckleheads, previously made on this blog. The issue is that there is a man that apparently was murdered. It's a physically impossible task to put a bag over your own head and simultaneously tie your own hands and feet behind your back. CSI detectives are not needed for this complex analysis.
Lastly, Senior Chief, you are absolutely correct. He appeared to have enough air to scream for help until he oxygen ran out. However a medical examiner in NY could determine that constipation killed him first, therefore the bag shouldn't be included as evidence... Then he or she will immediately take a 2 year vacation in Seychelles.
I would only say that we should respect the fact that this is person, whether innocent or guilty of any crimes, is dead. We don't know if it was a Mob hit, or if there is a serial killer out there. If you are a New Yorker, I would be more concerned because "things happen." and this incident can be swept under the table quickly with no follow up report. You can also be pushed in front of a moving train and everyone will take pictures of your death rather than help you...
Think2x, have you ever seen The Life of David Gale?? It is NOT impossible for this to be a suicide! ;)
Those were handcuffs. shelteredinsd and you gave away the ending.
There are eight million stories in the naked city. This is one of them . . .
What do you expect----NEW YORK-------The home of yankees ----northern type--New York---A City of filth and dirt and garbage-----God bless the South and the Confederate flag---note my shirt-----Yankee go home--we do not need you and your puke in Florida---STAY HOME STAY HOME
Dianne Feinstein just introduced a bill in Congress to ban bags (and heads).
And, just like guns, she has no idea how to use either!!!!
that joke is played out and childish now. BUT i should note that since the beginning of 2013 we did ban plastic bags in CA at grocery stores and look how many bag murders we've had. ZERO! yuk yuk yuk
Mindy, LOL. In the central valley/San Joaquin Valley, we still get plastic bags at the grocery. I seem to recall that freak city, San Fran with their queer mayor is the only one to ban plastic bags.
Where is Chuck Schumer on this?
We must ban "Deadly Assault Bags"and get rid of the belt and tape around your neck "loophole".
Remember...."if we can just save one life......
Most of you are cold and callous human beings.A person died who was somebody's family member.The police didn't take the extra steps necessary to ensure that all people in the building were safe.It is tragic to think that a person's life could have been saved.My condolences to his family.
I wonder if Barack Hussein is now going to ban belts, duct tape, rope, and plastic bags.
My heart goes out to this man's family. What a horrible tragedy.
Most likely another case of gangs and drugs.
Check for greedy family that can't wait for their inheritance. Greed in this world is outrageous.
Better consider outlawing belts and tape.
Well we can't have those bags, tape and belts committing these senseless crimes. We're gonna need to ban those items and charge penalties to those that think they need them. Plus belts will only be able to be 12" long. Plastic bags will now need to all be paper and ductape will need to be taken off of the market because they are evil, causing the death of others.