Surveillance video may show man who killed doctor

October 27, 2006 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Chicago police hope surveillance video may show the man who murdered Dr. David Cornbleet. The dermatologist was found stabbed to death in his Michigan Avenue office on Tuesday. Family and friends gathered Friday for his funeral on the North Side. They wanted to remember a good doctor and a loving father.

That surveillance video was from the North Michigan Avenue office building where the doctor was killed.

The surveillance camera tape does not clearly show the face of the man police want as he enters and later exits. But it does show, as he is leaving the building, that he has taken steps to alter his appearance and cover up his face. That fits with what a building tenant has told police -- that she got on an elevator around 5:30 Tuesday evening with a young man who had blood on his face and shirt, and was breathing hard.

The man police believe to be the killer is seen on two lobby surveillance cameras as he both entrees and later leaves the 30 N. Michigan building.

Police believe the man is in his late teens or early 20s. He is wearing a light gray jacket and red ball cap as he enters an elevator at about 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday. About 45 minutes later, he is seen leaving in more hurried fashion. And significantly, he is wearing a different hat. He now has a skull cap on and clearly knows there are surveillance cameras as he tries to hide his face.

"This is the subject that the witness was talking about. He had covered his face partially with the jacket, but he had to have his eyes closed to walk out and blood was noticed on his face and clothing," said Cmdr. Steve Peterson, Chicago police.

As the man leaves the Michigan avenue exit, there appears to be some kind of object protruding from a shoulder bag he's carrying. Police don't know a motive for Dr. Cornbleet's murder. They do say it was not robbery. They're still reviewing his appointment log, but have no way of knowing if the man was a patient. They do believe he is the killer.

Police have shown the tape to the Cornbleet family, but they don't know who the man is.

Friday, the Cornbleets and many friends said good bye to Dr. David Cornbleet -- who was praised as an old school doctor -- forever devoted to his patients, and a man who put his love of family above all.

"I know you know this, but I love you. I'm proud of you. You are my role model and my source of guidance. I can only pray that I will walk through the lives of so many and leave footprints on their hearts and will continue for decades to come," said Jocelyn Cornbleet, victim's daughter.

"I just want to say I love him more than words can express, and I miss him. He was my rock," said Jon Cornbleet, victim's son.

When Dr. Cornbleet didn't call home -- as was his custom -- it was his daughter Jocelyn who went to check on him and found his body. He had been stabbed more than two dozen times.

The Cornbleet family has asked for the public's help in solving this murder, and police hope that the surveillance tape will help them move in that direction.

The number at Area 4 Police Headquarters is (312) 746-8252.

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