Murder in Chelsea

Just horrifying to read about the murder in Chelsea over the weekend. Michael and I walked by the building and found a mob scene of television crews, undercover detectives and signs around the area asking for him in solving the crime. The victim -- 57-year-old John Laubach -- was found with his hands and feet bound with duct tape, tied to a bedpost with an electrical cord and with a towel over his head. I used to see -- and sit next to -- him at my regular coffee place on 7th Avenue. He always had his white parrot on his shoulder, which always made him the center of attention. The police say there was no sign of forced entry which, coupled with friends' saying he frequently picked up young men on the Internet, leads me to believe this was a trick gone bad. Very sad news. My pal Christopher says the police need to bring that parrot in for questioning stat. He may be the key to solving this heinous crime, if the electronic paper trail doesn't do it first.

Laubach was remembered at his church on Sunday. May he rest in peace.