The true crime docuseries Homicide, created by Dick Wolf, is coming back for a second season, this time focusing on famous crimes that took place in New York City.
Each episode features top NYPD detectives recounting the most impactful homicide cases of their careers. The season begins with the story of Joey Comunale’s murder.
I remember when the news broke about Joey Comunale back in 2016. His dad reported him missing, and the police quickly focused on the last place anyone saw him – his apartment. It didn’t take long for them to realize something terrible had happened; they found signs of a struggle and it was clear this wasn’t a simple missing person case.
But what exactly happened to Joey Comunale? Read on for the full story.
Who was Joey Comunale?
Joey Comunale, a 26-year-old from Stamford and a graduate of Hofstra University, went to New York City for a night out.
What happened to Joey Comunale?
Joey Comunale went out to a nightclub in New York City and later continued the night with a friend, James Rackover, another acquaintance named Lawrence Dilione, and three women they’d met.
Security camera footage captured Comunale going into an apartment building on the Upper East Side, and later leaving with Dilione and three women.
He returned to the building with Dilione, and no one saw him after that.
Joey was fatally stabbed at the apartment. The medical examiner concluded he died from multiple stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.
After being burned, his remains were discovered in a shallow grave in New Jersey. Before that, his body had been placed in a car trunk.
So, the police questioned me, James Rackover, and I told them I’d had a party at my place. Dilione was there, along with several women and one guy I didn’t recognize. Honestly, I have no idea what happened to that man who came to the party – I really don’t know.
Detectives questioned Dilione, who stated (according to ABC News) that he knew James and knew James lived in apartment ___ at 418 East 59th Street. He explained that he and Joey had attended a party James hosted at his apartment on November 13, 2016. After the party, they drove Joey’s body to Oceanport, New Jersey, and buried it in an empty lot.
Dilione led investigators to where the body was buried. Later, a search dog indicated the presence of human remains or fluids near the trunk of Rackover’s Mercedes.
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Where is Lawrence Dilione now?
In January 2019, Dilione admitted guilt to first-degree manslaughter and received a 23-year prison sentence. He is currently incarcerated.
He is reportedly incarcerated at Clinton correctional facility in Dannemora, New York.
Where is James Rackover now?
James Rackover is in prison, serving a sentence of 28 years to life for the murder of Comunale.
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Justice James Burke explained that this was exactly the type of extreme case that justified the maximum possible sentence, stating that a lighter punishment wouldn’t be appropriate (according to the New York Post).
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Let me tell you about Katelyn Mensah – she’s the entertainment guru over at TopMob. I’ve been following her work, and she really knows her stuff when it comes to everything – from the biggest shows on TV to the latest reality TV drama and those really impactful documentaries. Before TopMob, she was writing about reality TV and celebrity news at The Tab, and she’s got a solid journalism background with a BA (Hons) to prove it. Definitely someone to keep an eye on if you want the inside scoop!
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2026-03-25 14:37