BENJAMIN CREELEY HOMICIDE

• 56-year-old Creeley, apparently suicide by hanging. Clothesline. But had broken thumb, couldn’t tie noose.

• Computer-written suicide note about depression. But appeared not to be suicidally depressed, no history of mental/emotional problems.

• Around Thanksgiving two men broke into his house and possibly burned evidence. White men, but faces not observed. One bigger than other. They were inside for about an hour.

• Evidence in Westchester house:

• Broke through lock; skillful job.

• Leather texture marks on fireplace tools and Creeley’s desk.

• Soil in front of fireplace has higher acid content than soil around house and contains pollutants. From industrial site?

• Traces of burned cocaine in fireplace.

• Ash in fireplace.

• Financial records, spreadsheet, references to millions of dollars.

• Checking logo on documents, sending entries to forensic accountant.

• Diary re: getting oil changed, haircut appointment and going to St. James Tavern.

• Analysis of ash from Queens CS lab:

• Logo of software used in corporate accounting.

• Forensic accountant: standard executive compensation figures.

• Burned because of what they revealed, or to lead investigators off?

• St. James Tavern

• Creeley came here several times.

• Apparently didn’t use drugs while here.

• Not sure whom he met with, but maybe cops from the nearby 118th Precinct of the NYPD.

• Last time he was here—just before his death—he got into an argument with persons unknown.

• Checked money from officers at St. James—serial numbers are clean, but found coke and heroin. Stolen from precinct?

• Not much drugs missing, only 6 or 7 oz. of pot, 4 of coke.

• Unusually few organized crime cases at the 118th Precinct but no evidence of intentional stalling by officers.

• Two gangs in the East Village possible but not likely suspects.

• Interview with Jordan Kessler, Creeley’s partner, and follow-up with wife.

• Confirmed no obvious drug use.

• Didn’t appear to associate with criminals.

• Drinking more than usual, taken up gambling; trips to Vegas and Atlantic City. Losses were large, but not significant to Creeley.

• Not clear why he was depressed.

• Kessler didn’t recognize burned records.

• Awaiting list of clients.

• Kessler doesn’t appear to gain by Creeley’s death.

• Sachs and Pulaski followed by AMG Mercedes.

FRANK SARKOWSKI HOMICIDE

• Sarkowski was 57 years old, no police record, murdered on November 4 of this year, survived by wife and two teenage children.

• Victim owned building and business in Manhattan. Business was doing maintenance for other companies and utilities.

• Art Snyder was case detective.

• No suspects.

• Murder/robbery?

• Was shot to death as part of apparent robbery. Weapon recovered on scene—Smith & Wesson knockoff, .38 Special, no prints, cold gun. Case detective believes it could have been a professional hit.

• Business deal went bad?

• Killed in Queens—not sure why he was there.

• Deserted part of borough, near natural gas tanks.

• File and evidence missing.

• File went to 158th Precinct on/around November 28. Never returned. No indication of requesting officer.