By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office is requesting the public's assistance in their continuing investigation of the 1985 murder of Raul Suarez, known to many at the time of his death as "Cooks Books."
According to officials, at the time of his murder, Mr. Suarez was a bit of a local celebrity, having earned the moniker "Cooks Books" while working as an emcee at Atlantic City's 500 Club, with the nickname following him during his work as a local radio show host. Mr. Suarez was also a taxicab driver.
Officials stated that on March 31, 1985, at approximately 1:50 a.m., a mortally wounded Raul Suarez was located in the eastbound lanes of Route 30 in the vicinity of the Crest Motel, 301 E. Absecon Blvd., Absecon.
It would later be determined that Mr. Suarez had been stabbed multiple times, officials said.
Officials say witnesses would report seeing Mr. Suarez at the side of his taxicab before walking onto the roadway and collapsing.
One witness reported seeing a struggle inside the taxicab before the wounded Mr. Suarez walked into the street, authorities say.
According to officials, unknown individuals drove off in Mr. Suarez's taxicab, which would later be recovered and abandoned in the 800 block of N. Michigan Ave., Atlantic City.
Authorities say thirty-nine years after the murder of Mr. Suarez, the investigation continues, and the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office renews calls for assistance from the public in identifying suspects.
Anyone with information is requested to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office at 609-909-7800 to speak with a member of the Major Crimes Unit.