Elderly Man Found Handcuffed And Dead Inside Queens Home

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are investigating the suspicious death of an elderly man, who was found handcuffed inside his Queens apartment.

The body of Demaso Ilano, 89, was discovered inside the Corona home on Monday morning by his caretaker. Ilano is said to have gone to Atlantic City before returning about 11 p.m. on Sunday night.

He was found bound by plastic handcuffs and his head was badly bloodied, police said.

"Probably one of the more, if not most, disturbing sights I've probably seen in my life," neighbor Richard Valente told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey.

Long-time friend and neighbor, Jose Heredia, said Ilano's caretaker ran out of the home yelling and screaming.

1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg Reports

"A fellow that I know came out from the house, screaming with his hands on his head, saying...'They killed Demaso, they killed Demaso.' I said 'Are you kidding?' He said 'No, I'm not kidding. I found him dead,'" Heredia told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman.

Ilano and two partners established the El Mundo Supermarket on Junction Boulevard about 42 years ago after he arrived from Cuba.  His son is demanding to know why anyone would want his father dead.

"I'm speechless.  If there's any one word that I can say to describe him would be just 'awesome,'" Eddie Ilano told reporters, including 1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg.

Family and friends are speculating that Demaso Ilano knew the person who killed him.

"To have this happen in our neighborhood with the 110 [Precinct] right next door to us, hurts us dearly. We truly believe it's somebody he knew," friend Lucy Schilero said.

"The door wasn't forced, so we figure maybe he knew that person and opened the door," the victim's niece, Noemi Lopez, said.

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