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Suspect Sketches Released In Beating Death Of Gay Activist In Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for the suspects wanted in the death of a gay activist in Queens last year.

Authorities released sketches of two men wanted in the violent beating of Lou Rispoli that took place at the corner of 42nd Street and Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside back on Oct. 20.

When police arrived at the scene they found the 62-year-old man unconscious and with blunt force trauma to the head. Emergency Medical Services responded and took the victim to Elmhurst General Hospital in serious condition.

Rispoli was so badly beaten in the assault that his family decided to take him off life support five days after the beating.  The Medical Examiner then determined the cause of death to be homicide.

Friends remembered Rispoli as a pillar of the gay community in Queens.

"During the AIDS crisis in the '80s, he was at the bedside of so many men," friend Mark Horn said last October.

Queens City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said last October that Rispoli was not robbed in the attack, and urged anyone who may have seen the assault to come forward.

"To see Lou in his hospital bedroom is to see a level of violence and depravity that you could not imagine exists. And whoever did this has got to be taken off the streets," Van Bramer told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

A $22,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest, conviction and indictment.

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