Elizabeth man's death ruled murder

ELIZABETH (WABC) -- The Union County Homicide Task Force is investigating the death of a 72-year-old Elizabeth man.

Charles Panchery was found in the kitchen of his home on 605 Green Street. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 9:30 a.m.

The autopsy results show that the Panchery suffered from stab-like wounds.

People living nearby say the neighborhood is usually a quiet one.

"How is it that something can happen right next door and you don't know it's happening?" wondered Diana Marchene.

She moved here to Elizabeth three months ago from the city, wanted a little peace and quiet.

From Diana's backyard you can see two doors down to the back of Charlie's house. Neighbors saw a ladder reaching up to a window, and for Charlie to have a ladder at his back window seemed very unusual.

They called 911. Police found Charlie dead near the sink in the kitchen.

Charlie's cousin, Salvatore Piga, was allowed into the house hours after Charlie was found dead. He says there was blood everywhere from the living room into the kitchen.

People in this neighborhood are frightened and remembering a quiet kind man who didn't have any enemies.

"It was just a tragedy. We don't know who did it, why they would do it. We have no idea," his cousin, Annie Piga, said.

Anyone with information on the death of Charles Panchery is urged to contact Union County Crimestoppers at (908) 654-TIPS or www.uctip.org. Information that leads to an arrest and indictment is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

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new jersey, elizabeth, crime, murder, new jersey news, phil lipof

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