East Harlem

Dead Man's Chest, Davy Jones'Locker y la torre de Babel sin duda son parte del imaginario literario o de la literatura fantástica, dirán algunos....La torre de Babel implica una arquitectura perversa, porque el desafiado es el mismo Creador-no él de la torre sino Él del Universo, y que en el Principio era el Significado (The Word)- y la amenaza los activos constructores que han dejado de percibirse correctamente. Esto es una tragedia pero no para El Creador. No obstante la "construcción" tristemente continua. La Torre es el Infierno!

Secret life of motivation man: Mystery swirls around death of Jeffrey Locker

BY Alison Gendar, Zak Failla and Larry Mcshane
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

Saturday, July 18th 2009, 4:00 AM

Just last month, a beaming Jeffrey Locker - devoted dad, beloved husband and successful entrepreneur - welcomed guests to his daughter's Long Island bat mitzvah.

"I'd never met a more devoted family," recalled longtime friend Steve D'Annunzio, one of many delighted guests. "He was a huge family man."

Barely a month after his 13- year-old's coming of age, Locker was discovered far from the family home - strangled and stabbed in his late-model car in an East Harlem housing project.

It was a gruesome death, incongruous with his American-as-apple-pie life: wife and kids, successful career, nice house in the 'burbs.

The slaying Thursday came with sordid speculation of a double life and dark secrets. A local teen said Locker bought a box of condoms at a nearby deli around 3 a.m.

Another resident said Locker's 2007 Dodge Magnum was regularly seen in East Harlem. Police trying to determine whether the revered motivational speaker was a regular customer of a Wagner Houses hooker.

Police sources said the 52- year-old victim withdrew $200 cash from an ATM machine an hour before his purported visit to the Wagner Deli.

Investigators found evidence that Locker made a series of calls Wednesday night to a particular apartment in the housing project.

Whatever happened in his life, there was no disputing how Locker died: A cord was wrapped tightly around his neck and the car's headrest.

Police suspect he was attacked by two killers - one in the backseat, another up front. One of them stabbed him, piercing his heart, lungs and liver and slicing his aorta.

A man and woman were later spotted using Locker's ATM card to make seven $200 withdrawals, starting about 4:30 a.m. Thursday, police sources said.

It was all a far cry from the hopeful promise delivered on Locker's Web site:

"Helping business people create more Peace, Joy and Fulfillment in all areas of their lives."

The circumstances and seedy conjecture didn't shake the faith of Locker's family and friends, who remain convinced he was an innocent victim.

"Jeff was an extraordinarily spiritual man," said Richard Pope, a Long Island businessman and family friend. "I've known him 3-1/2, 4 years.

"I've never seen him raise his voice. I've never seen him get angry."

Locker's wife, Lois, spoke to reporters outside the family's spacious two-story home in Valley Stream, L.I. The home features a brick walkway and a well-kept yard. A Lexus was parked in the driveway.

"I wish you could talk to the hundreds and hundreds of people my husband has affected positively," Lois Locker said. "Talk to them instead of reporting these innuendoes."

Roca/News

Locker's body was found strangled and stabbed in his Dodge Magnum parked on Paladino Ave in East Harlem.

Motivational speaker Jeffrey Locker authored a book, 'Teachings for a New World.'

Roca/News

Locker's body was found strangled and stabbed in his Dodge Magnum parked on Paladino Ave in East Harlem.

Motivational speaker Jeffrey Locker authored a book, 'Teachings for a New World.'

Snapshots of the "tower" :
Discussion Comments:

Was he a republican? If so, then we know what he was doing there.

Posted by sparkey on Jul 17, 2009 4:46 AM

It appears this was a prostitution buy that were awry. My condolences to his family. I hope the murderers get caught. There are some missing facts about this case, but its the DN no surprise there.

Posted by hjo4 on Jul 17, 2009 6:37 AM

I wonder if he used Craigslist.

Posted by RickEvans033050 on Jul 17, 2009 6:41 AM

The wife said "He was supposed to be coming home." She got it half right.

Posted by jmcrksh on Jul 17, 2009 6:46 AM

I have a feeling that this will be an episode of Law & Order: SVU

Posted by NYC_Disaster on Jul 17, 2009 6:50 AM

Do any of these white, middle-class, suburban housewives actually believe what they say? This guy wasn't a motivator, he was a cheating liar!

Posted by Upstater666 on Jul 17, 2009 7:01 AM

This is unfortunate but this guy is certainly a republican conservative Christian etc. So we know what he was doing there. The question is.... Was he there to see a woman or a MAN? I'm guessing man.

Posted by zerosum1975 on Jul 17, 2009 7:06 AM

Sparkey- what was he doing there if he was a Democrat?

Posted by 3011heath on Jul 17, 2009 7:09 AM

This is what happens when you are in a place you shouldn't be in, doing something you shouldn't be doing. Ask Steve McNair.

Posted by YYYYYGuy on Jul 17, 2009 7:35 AM

Im wondering if I should have sympathy for someone who should be home with his wife rather than cheating on her? He should have learned from what happened to Steve McNair. Honestly, if you are going into other people's kitchen then you shouldn't get married. I hope this be a lesson to all cheating spouse MAN AND WOMAN.

Posted by BrooklynMan# on Jul 17, 2009 7:50 AM

WHATS MR LOCKER DOING IN EAST HARLEM EARLY IN THE MORNING HMMM BUY CONDOMS HE SHOULD STAY IN LONG ISLAND THATS WHAT MESSING WITH THESE HOES GET YOU

Posted by brhmgrant on Jul 17, 2009 7:55 AM

No one deserves to be murdered but after reading this article the wife is delusional and he was another morally superior hypocrite..but at least he was smart enough to practice safe sex. (although my guess is motivated about abstinence only and other stupid ideas).

Posted by rickymo on Jul 17, 2009 8:03 AM

"It was unclear why he was in East Harlem". Duh!! At 3am in the morning, and buying condoms, no less. We're not stupid! This is 2009 for crying out loud. When will people learn...

Posted by BronxGalG on Jul 17, 2009 8:10 AM

Amazing that the very same Obama-salaaming Einsteins who refuse to hear a single discouraging word about a kid-touching, one-gloved strange-o can't *wait* to kick around the corpse of a private citizen with a family (and no prior record). Wait - it's not amazing....it's typical. "Was he a republican? If so, then we know what he was doing there." That's because we're all supposed to giggle on cue because All Republicans Are Johns And Hypocrites, but we must *never* speak the other half of the equation - that All Democrats Are Prostitutes And Junkies - out loud. Not if you don't want to get popped on a hate-crime statute!

Posted by sickdrjoe on Jul 17, 2009 8:11 AM

These supposed 'nice guys' often seem to have a dark side. Why was he in Harlem at 3 a.m. buying condoms? What was MOTIVATING him? Looks like he was just another cheating, lying hypocrit who did sleazy things in secret because, like so many of our politicians, he had character flaws and could not live up to the false public personna he had created for himself.

Posted by Ellieyankeefan on Jul 17, 2009 8:41 AM

I don't know if this guy was brave or nuts to be in Harlem at 3 a.m. for any reason ,seems he was set up for murder himself ,but by whom? Sorry for the wife and kids, many of these do gooder types have a little secret in the closet .

Posted by Sea Chart on Jul 17, 2009 8:49 AM

The NY Post says he pulled over by the Triborough Bridge (yup, they didn't call it the RFK Bridge, yay!!!!) and had a flat tire. That could have been his motivation hmmm324 (love your comment!).

Posted by SayWhat on Jul 17, 2009 8:54 AM

Alot of highly respected males lead a secret or double life. Mainly politicians...Eliot Spitzer you're not alone!

Posted by denalist on Jul 18, 2009 5:01 AM

A lot of highly respected males lead a secret or double life. Mainly politicians... Randal David Ankeney, Jim Bakker, Bob Barr, Parker J. Bena, Louis Beres, John Bolton, Jim Bunn, President of the United States George W. Bush, Neil Bush, Ken Calvert, Helen Chenoweth, Mark Foley, Newt Gingrich, Philip Giordano, Matthew Glavin, Neal Horsley, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Rush Limbaugh, Jeff Miller, Joseph M. McDade, Bill O'Reilly, Bob Packwood, George Roche III, Joe Scarborough, Ed Schrock, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean Schmidt, Jimmy Swaggart, Randall Terry, Strom Thurmond, Jim West, John Ensign and Mark Sanford… for more details, see: http://www.salem-news.com/articles/october172007/repub_scandals_10_17_07.php and http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Republican_Sex_Scandals

Posted by Anacondaman on Jul 18, 2009 6:30 AM

They say what's done in the dark, comes out in the light and it's true. This man lived a double life and it cost him his life along with bringing grief, tragedy and embarrassment to his family and friends.He didn't deserve to be murdered either. I hope they catch his murderers and are prosecuted to the fullest extent. I wonder if the motivational speaker taught his students "To thy self be true".

Posted by hjo4 on Jul 18, 2009 6:49 AM

We all have a dark side. Some of us get caught. Those who claim they do not have a dark side, are in denial.

Posted by redstiletto69 on Jul 17, 2009 8:55 AM

It amazes me to read all these post regarding this case. Almost all posters are worry about their own agendas rather than the severity of this case. All I hear is Republicans vs.Democrats and people pointing the finger of blame on the victim no less. This is a crime of violence in our own back yard, we should be outraged that this guy was murdered. Let's stop pointing the finger of blame and try to catch these criminals, because they will murder again.

Posted by ManofPrinciple on Jul 17, 2009 8:58 AM

Damn I wondered what was all that comotion...someone marked him a long time ago because that specific area doesn't really flow that way. It's someone he knows and that he's been going to see for a while.

Posted by pitolove on Jul 17, 2009 9:12 AM

Manofprinciple is about the only one on the blog that makes sense. A man was killed it doesn't matter what colour he was or what partyhe belonged to.Also if person commit adultery that doesn''t mean he or she shoild be killed for it, and stop commenting on Steve McNair non of you knew the man you closed minded idoits just went by what was in the media. Its sad that we are now living in a society where people hear about a killing and go "oh well" or try to be judge and jury. Think about the kids and yes I know he was not thinking about his kids thats obvious but he still didn't deserve to be killed like that. It scares me even more that we live in a society of monsters and they look just like you and I they have no problem and killing its like for them taking crash. That scares me alot.

Posted by dommonie on Jul 17, 2009 9:16 AM

Jesus told him to go to Harlem at 3 a.m.

Posted by flyromeo3 on Jul 17, 2009 9:18 AM

Sex - drugs or both but flat tire - please

Posted by wheights on Jul 17, 2009 9:21 AM

Well, he motivated SOMEONE!

Posted by Batsen on Jul 17, 2009 9:21 AM
f this guy was in Harlem cheating on his wife and kids I can't say i have any sympathy for him. The main concern is to get the killer off the streets. Lets go NYPD..you have an assignment.

Posted by stuff-it on Jul 17, 2009 9:24 AM

ManofPrinciple, you make a very valid point. Kudos to you. However, you must also remember that is the Republicans who hold this saintly holier-than-thou attitude. Most of the people who heaped venom upon the cold, dead body of Steve McNair on the DN forum were of this type. A few even hinted that McNair deserved his fate because he cheated on his wife. You should have read THOSE posts. I don’t believe I saw a missive from you in defense of the slain quarterback. When those who claim the morality high ground are exposed, they deserve the denunciations coming their way. I am sorry this man was murdered. But when you closet your freakiness and live on the edge, you are likely to attract people with little regard for your dignity or your life. I feel sorry for Locker’s wife, family and friends. They are going to live with this horror and the awful knowledge their loved one died amid sordid circumstances.

Posted by ezekiel14 on Jul 17, 2009 9:30 AM

Let me answer that. Absolutely nothing, but there are a crop of puselanimous dimwits who still can't get over the fact that their side went down in flames with no hope in sight.

Posted by sasquatch99 on Jul 17, 2009 9:49 AM

Please he was going to motivate somebody in to sex that all went wrong.

Posted by ranus69 on Jul 17, 2009 10:03 AM

each and every last one of you who badmouth Mr. Locker are low life scum who think highly of yourselves, making jokes about a man you dont even know. it is disgusting of all of you to believe this article is truthful. it also says a lot of your character to make jokes and make fun of this man who you do not even know. shame on all of you. this paper is bogus, completely wrong

Posted by JL4L on Jul 17, 2009 10:10 AM

Not to make light of a grim situation, but that was my thought as well. We're going to see this as an episode on Law & Order next year. Although they'll probably spin it so that the wife hired people to kill her philandering husband.

Posted by BT11360 on Jul 17, 2009 10:11 AM

flyromeo, stop it man! You made me fall off my chair yesterday. "Calling all cars, calling all cars...missing Krispy Kreme lemon last seen at Lex and 53...wearing chocolate icing and a big hole in his butt, headed northbound..."

Posted by ezekiel14 on Jul 17, 2009 10:14 AM

His wife said, "He was supposed to come home. He wasn't there by choice." Excuse me??? Sorry Mrs. Locker, but he WAS there by choice....get a grip lady. As they say, "denial" is merely a river in Egypt....

Posted by Blueliner22 on Jul 17, 2009 10:21 AM

...seems like a professional hit, a setup by the gangsters.

Posted by 16clip on Jul 17, 2009 10:26 AM

Queensgirl. When was the last time You were in Valley Stream. Plenty of blacks living there. Go to the Valley Stream state park and see who the majority of people are who are there. Why would a white man want to be in East Harlem at 3AM. This isn't the 1950's when You could ride the subways at 3AM and feel safe. Then East Harlem was mostly Italian. Now no matter where You live You are not safe. Think of the parents of the 17 children who were killed. Look at the ones who committed the crime. If they voted I'm sure they didn't vote republican.

Posted by gpwash on Jul 17, 2009 10:31 AM