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Apr 23 min read

The murders of John, Kay and Abe



A renowned New York City deli owner, a former Hollywood stunt double and a hardworking migrant living the American dream are all connected by one thing. The murder weapon that killed them.


Nespaper archives show the aftermath of the double deadly shooting. | Courtesy: Newspapers.com


It was just after 4:30 p.m. on September 5, 1995 when a maid showed up to clock in for work at the Saw Mill River Motel in Elmsford, New York, about 17 miles north of New York City. Instead of being greeted by a cheerful colleague, she was affronted by a horrific scene. Two of her colleagues lay slain on the office floor. Each surrounded by their own blood.


Emsford motel shooting victims Jon Weaver and Kay Praponpoj. | Courtesy: Newspapers.com

50-year-old Kerson "Kay" Praponpoj had started her shift manning the front desk not long before the maid's arrival. Longtime overnight clerk Jon Weaver, 32, wasn’t supposed to be there, but had stopped by to cash a check.


Both had been shot twice. The gun was nowhere to be found. However, police gathered that this had been a robbery gone bad.


Jon died at the scene. Kay would linger in a coma for five years, but never regained consciousness before she died from her injuries.


Investigators determined that the killer had gotten away with about $400 in cash. Newspaper archives show that the motel had been hit a number of times over the years, including at least twice in the 10 months leading up to the double homicide. 

Weeks passed, then months with little-to-no movement on the case. Then it happened again.


Various images of slain NYC Deli owner Abe Lebewohl. | Courtesy: Newspapers.com and 2ndavedeli.com


March 4th, 1996 was a cold and icy day in Manhattan's East village. It started off just like any other over the past 40 years had for Abe Lebewohl. The 64-year-old deli owner was a creature of habit. A consistency that had helped him to build his kosher restaurant 'The Second Avenue Deli' into a legendary hot spot.


Investigators on scene after the murder of Abe Lebewohl. | Courtesy: The Daily News

Abe was ambushed during his regular bank drop a few blocks from the deli, shot twice inside his catering van. His callous killing would bring the neighborhood to a halt. The killers would get away with roughly $12,000.



Police provided the public with this sketch of a man eyewitnesses allegedly saw running from the van.Within days the murder weapon was found discarded in Central Park. It was a discovery that would eventually uncover a shocking connection to the murders that happened six months earlier inside the Saw Mill River Motel.


Police sketch of suspect. | Courtesy: newspapers.com


All three homicides remain unsolved. There is no statute of limitations in New York for homicide. 


In 2023, the NYPD confirmed that the investigation into Abe's murder was ongoing. However, there were no updates. Police still have not publicly named any suspect or person of interest in the case.


In 2016, an anonymous donor put up a $150,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Abe's killer or killers.


Abe's daughters visit the park dedicated intheir father's memory. | Courtesy: The New York Post

After he died, a small park in the East Village was named after Abe.


The Abe Lebewohl Park is a place where those who love him can still go to remember him and all of the goodness he brought to the community. Pictured here are his two daughters, Sharon and Felicia, in the park named after their father.




If you have any information on the murder of Abe Lebewohl, you are asked to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, or visit crimestoppers.nypdonline.org.


If you have any information on the murders of Kerson "Kay" Praponpoj and Jon Weaver at the SawmillRiver Motel call the New York State Crime Stoppers hotline at 866-313-8477. 

 

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