An autopsy has confirmed the co-owner of a fireplace store in New Jersey who was found lying on the floor of his shop in a pool of blood earlier this month died of multiple gunshot wounds, and investigators said Thursday they have classified his death as a homicide.
Richard Zariello, 51, died April 13, a day after his business partner and police found him on the floor of his Clean Sweep Chimney Depot on Route 46 in South Hackensack. The partner and police went there looking for him after his family reported not hearing from him for a few days.
Prosecutors have said they believe Zariello was attacked within a few days of being found, though the exact timing of the shooting -- and the circumstances surrounding it -- remain mysteries.
It wasn't clear if any money or property had been stolen from the store.
Authorities ask anyone who noticed unusual people or vehicle in the area of the store between Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 to call the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential TIPS Line at 201-226-5532 or the South Hackensack Police Department at 201-440-0042.
