'Person of Interest' Sought in Roxbury Murder

As its one-year anniversary looms Monday, new details have emerged in the investigation into the slaying of a Roxbury diner owner, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said Thursday.

A black man wearing light-colored shorts and a dark-colored T-shirt, who also might drive a green 1994-96 Toyota Camry, has been called a "person of interest" in the fatal stabbing of Kenvil Diner owner Chafic “Steve” Ezzeddine, 70, Bianchi said. The man was caught on camera near the scene, Bianchi said.

Ezzeddine's wife of 38 years, Amal Abou-Ezzeddine, found him slain the Route 46 eatery before calling police.

Bianchi said he couldn't reveal exactly where the man was when he was captured on camera or the state of the car's license plate due to the ongoing investigation. But authorities have determined the killing happened between 2 and 6:30 p.m., Bianchi said.

The man might have been with another black man who was also seen on camera near the diner wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and a light-colored backpack, the prosecutor's office said.

There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to the prosecution of the individual or people involved. An unnamed donor contributed $10,000, while the Roxbury PBA, Roxbury Chamber and others have added to the fund.

The diner has not reopened since his death and his family is trying to sell the property. Ezzeddine's family established a website, KenvilDiner.com, in his honor and as a way to funnel information to authorities.

Ezziddine moved from Lebanon to America in 1971. He opened the diner with his family in 1983. His wife, Amal, and thee sons, Saied, Samer and Walid eulogized him on the website.

"Not a wealthy man, not a famous man, not a leader of other men," the family said. "He was a simple man, a man of few words. Love.  Provide. Will of iron, bones of steel. Stronger men have not lived. In his story – our story – he was a hero.  Ripped from us tragically, as heroes go."

A number of agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Secret Service and New York City Police Department, have been involved in the investigation. The Roxbury Police Department has also created the Kenvil Diner Homicide Task Force.

It's strange that the killing remains unsolved despite occurring on a busy street during the day, Bianchi said.

"That's why we believe that somebody out there, in the public, has to have seen something that they might not even have felt [at the time] was relevant," he said.

Those with information can call task force at (973) 285-6150, the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers program at (973) 267-2255 or the Morris County Communications Center at (973) 285-2900.