I just saw the episode on Chaim Weiss, the boy mysteriously murdered in his sleep at his Long Island Yeshiva. (Hooray, Lifetime reruns!) The case is nearly 20 years old now, and I was wondering if there have been any updates. I read everything posted on this forum about him, but it seems the most recent media attention was in 1992: a short article saying the case was still unsolved.

Anyone hear anything else?

This story is perhaps the one that unnerves me the most. I can't imagine that a child was murdered in the dorm...and no one knows anything or will talk to investigators.

I really hope justice is found for that child and his family.

jeeps

This story always bothered me too. I just can't understand what motive someone would have for killing him. I believe one of his classmates was involved but whoever it was isn't talking and if the case hasn't been solved by now, I don't think it ever will be.

That's honestly what I'm afraid of -- that it'll never be solved. The story's been haunting me all day; I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

This story always bothered me too. I just can't understand what motive someone would have for killing him. I believe one of his classmates was involved but whoever it was isn't talking and if the case hasn't been solved by now, I don't think it ever will be.

Just because the case hasn't been solved by now DOES NOT mean that it could never be solved. When I read about someone believing that a case may never be solved, I am constantly compelled to respond. And one of the things I typically do when responding is that I would explain that there have been plently of cases that were solved after being cold for decades. (You can find the proof in many segments shown on the A&E documentary Cold Case Files.)

For example, it took 19 years for a suspect to be arrested in the Green River murders (which is nearly the same amount of time that has passed since the Chaim Weiss murder). Another example is the 1988 murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell, which took 16 years to solve. And another example: Kathy Power went on the run after taking part in the 1970 Brighton, MA robbery in which police officer Walter Schroder was murdered, and surrendered 23 years later.

So let's not be pessimistic (unless you want to give Weiss' killer the satisfaction in knowing that he/she has never been identified). There is no deadline on which to solve a case, and there's no statute of limitations on murder. In addition, it is never too late find the answers.

What? they showed this episode and I missed it? I'm sad :( I've wanted to see this episode for over a year and I had to play Sims 2 :(

If anyone has this case on tape, I'm willing to pay a hefty price for you to copy it for me!

Just because the case hasn't been solved by now DOES NOT mean that it could never be solved. When I read about someone believing that a case may never be solved, I am constantly compelled to respond. And one of the things I typically do when responding is that I would explain that there have been plently of cases that were solved after being cold for decades. (You can find the proof in many segments shown on the A&E documentary Cold Case Files.)

For example, it took 19 years for a suspect to be arrested in the Green River murders (which is nearly the same amount of time that has passed since the Chaim Weiss murder). Another example is the 1988 murder of Lisa Marie Kimmell, which took 16 years to solve. And another example: Kathy Power went on the run after taking part in the 1970 Brighton, MA robbery in which police officer Walter Schroder was murdered, and surrendered 23 years later.

So let's not be pessimistic (unless you want to give Weiss' killer the satisfaction in knowing that he/she has never been identified). There is no deadline on which to solve a case, and there's no statute of limitations on murder. In addition, it is never too late find the answers.

I never said that the case could never be solved. All I said was that I don't think it ever will be. From what I understand there wasn't much evidence at the scene or any witnesses which could lead investigators to the killer. I am familiar with the other stories you mentioned and yes it is possible that the Weiss murder can still be solved and I certainly hope that someday it is. I just don't think the killer will be caught unless somebody who knows something speaks up but no one seems to know anything and the person or persons who do know something have kept quiet for nearly two decades.

I never said that the case could never be solved. All I said was that I don't think it ever will be. From what I understand there wasn't much evidence at the scene or any witnesses which could lead investigators to the killer. I am familiar with the other stories you mentioned and yes it is possible that the Weiss murder can still be solved and I certainly hope that someday it is. I just don't think the killer will be caught unless somebody who knows something speaks up but no one seems to know anything and the person or persons who do know something have kept quiet for nearly two decades.

I know you didn't say that it couldn't be solved. It's just that when someone says that they don't think a case will ever be solved, rightly or wrongly, it gives me the impression that they don't have much or any hope of seeing a resolution.

It might seem like that no one knows anything. Also, admittedly, very little evidence has been found, and that a motive hasn't been established. But don't let any of that discourage you.

As for myself I wonder if it was an inside job. Orthodox Jews tend not to reveal much to outsiders -- they are almost like Amish in a way. Without their cooperation, the police cannot do much. The people who run the school might know who the killer was, but they won't talk. Instead they may deal with it themselves.

I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

It happens all the time in religion (all religions). That is why Jesus said, "they strain out a gnat and swallow a camel" when denouncing religious hypocrisy. Like when he said "you tithe on mint, cumin, every itty bitty thing but then you neglect things like justice and mercy - the stuff that really matters" (or words to that effect).

As for myself I wonder if it was an inside job. Orthodox Jews tend not to reveal much to outsiders -- they are almost like Amish in a way. Without their cooperation, the police cannot do much. The people who run the school might know who the killer was, but they won't talk. Instead they may deal with it themselves.

I would agree with that. The only thing that holds me back from agreeing is that a polygraph was given to a lot of the rabbis/teachers and students, but this did not give the investigators any useful information.

I just can't get it out of my head that whomever killed him followed Jewish custom enough to open a window to "let his spirit out" (or to escape the room, I suppose) but ignored the Jewish belief that killing is wrong.

The killer may actually hate the Jewish faith and may actually considered this an act against the religion. He may have opened up the window as a joke or some twisted take on an act that was drummed into his head.

I wonder if we're focusing too much on the religious angle of this case. This is actually a murder in a boarding room. It could have happened in a secular college or some prestigous boys school in East Hampton. Those may actually be the only parameters of this case-a bunch of adolescent boys stuffed into a school run by adults. Stuff a bunch of rats in a cage...eventually one of them is going to murder the other. I think all the motives for why a young boy could be killed are valid here.

I would agree with that. The only thing that holds me back from agreeing is that a polygraph was given to a lot of the rabbis/teachers and students, but this did not give the investigators any useful information.

You know we could have this whole thing wrong here...the Rabbis and the community may actually NOT know who did this. They may have seen nobody and

The killer may actually hate the Jewish faith and may actually considered this an act against the religion. He may have opened up the window as a joke or some twisted take on an act that was drummed into his head.

I wonder if we're focusing too much on the religious angle of this case. This is actually a murder in a boarding room. It could have happened in a secular college or some prestigous boys school in East Hampton. Those may actually be the only parameters of this case-a bunch of adolescent boys stuffed into a school run by adults. Stuff a bunch of rats in a cage...eventually one of them is going to murder the other. I think all the motives for why a young boy could be killed are valid here.

You know we could have this whole thing wrong here...the Rabbis and the community may actually NOT know who did this. They may have seen nobody and

It's a valid point.

If it's an inside job, then I find it hard to believe the other students and Rabbis don't know who's responsible and very easy to believe they just wouldn't cooperate with outsiders. As to the motives behind the killing, you're exactly right, it could be anything.

The outsider is a bit harder to fathom. As presented, at least, there would be no reason for anything to have specifically targeted Chaim for being Chaim, which leaves either a random act (hard to fathom) or the Yeshiva itself being the target with Chaim just a victim of chance within the target.

I don't recall the segment going into what, if any, physical evidence was present. Was there are sign of break-in, forced entry, etc? If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.

I don't recall the segment going into what, if any, physical evidence was present. Was there are sign of break-in, forced entry, etc? If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.

Weren't the windows open? If that's the case, there is no need to break in. A Aperson could have cased the joint the day before and noticed the windows. He just needs one open.

If it was a hate crime, I would think it would be something the perpetrator would be proud of/brag about, yet there's no evidence of that either.


Could be the proverbial "angry lone nut" that walked by the Yeshiva every day and blamed Jews for his problems. He may not have anyone to boast to.

An ex-Yehsiva student would have reason not to boast in order to hide his identity.

Weren't the windows open? If that's the case, there is no need to break in. A Aperson could have cased the joint the day before and noticed the windows. He just needs one open.

My recollection is that the place wasn't a ground floor, so I doubt the killer's scaling the building to get in. Obviously, if this recollection is incorrect, or there were ground floor windows open, this wouldn't be much of an issue.

Could be the proverbial "angry lone nut" that walked by the Yeshiva every day and blamed Jews for his problems. He may not have anyone to boast to.

An ex-Yehsiva student would have reason not to boast in order to hide his identity.

Both possible.

No it didn't did it, it looked a good few stories up, so escaping through the window you would think would be out of the question. Had to be a inside job, maybe a prank gone bad and more than one individual involved more than likely.

No it didn't did it, it looked a good few stories up, so escaping through the window you would think would be out of the question. Had to be a inside job, maybe a prank gone bad and more than one individual involved more than likely.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Mastermind
Weren't the windows open? If that's the case, there is no need to break in. A Aperson could have cased the joint the day before and noticed the windows. He just needs one open.

My recollection is that the place wasn't a ground floor, so I doubt the killer's scaling the building to get in. Obviously, if this recollection is incorrect, or there were ground floor windows open, this wouldn't be much of an issue.

There have been several cases of criminals scaling buildings of great heights.

There was that guy in Florida a few years back if I remember.

It's probably a long shot...but not impossible to scale the building.

There have been several cases of criminals scaling buildings of great heights.

There was that guy in Florida a few years back if I remember.

It's probably a long shot...but not impossible to scale the building.

No your right it isn't. Sad this case was never solved, you would think that it was very solvable.

This case aired again. I was wondering if the police found any finger prints? Exspecially with the candles. They wwere set in glass candle holders. Surely they could get finger prints off them to find who left them there?

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/04/nyregion/knife-found-near-site-of-murder-of-student.html

Also her is an article that came out in nov. 1986 in new york times saying the a knife was found outside the dormitoury and they police were doing tests to see if it had to do with chiem. thats something unsolved mysteries didn't mention at all.

This case aired again. I was wondering if the police found any finger prints? Exspecially with the candles. They wwere set in glass candle holders. Surely they could get finger prints off them to find who left them there?

http://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/04/nyregion/knife-found-near-site-of-murder-of-student.html

Also her is an article that came out in nov. 1986 in new york times saying the a knife was found outside the dormitoury and they police were doing tests to see if it had to do with chiem. thats something unsolved mysteries didn't mention at all.

Thats shocking really but maybe it was determined that the knife wasn't the murder weapon. In my opinion it has to be a fellow student or students that did this, maybe they didn't intend to kill him but their actions resulted in his death.

Without question it's a student, or maybe faculty? Someone in the building.


Unfortunately this is one case I just have little passion for. I really wish they would solve it but every time I watch it, it gets to the part that says something like "due to religious customs people did not speak to investigators", I lose interest.


This is really just despicable. I have zero patience for the kind of stuff, and I guess I am just frustrated because LE has FEW clues. Typically when a UM segment hits a snag like that, I don't really look into that much.


EDIT: Come to think of it, there are a few other cases like this. They both involve Native American reservations. Of course the Ruby Bruglier car accident and the one segment where the pregnant wife got shot in her home, she worked at a casino.

In both cases they said on the reservations, people stay quiet.

Thats shocking really but maybe it was determined that the knife wasn't the murder weapon. In my opinion it has to be a fellow student or students that did this, maybe they didn't intend to kill him but their actions resulted in his death.



The knife could stiill be the murder weapon. I watched shows on cases were a knife was involved and they deamed at the time it had nothing to do with the case. Then they reexamined the knives and found they did. There is more technology then there was then. There could be blood down in the handle or around the fittings that keep the blade and the handle together. I would certainly give that knife another go through today if I were the investigators.

Without question it's a student, or maybe faculty? Someone in the building.


Unfortunately this is one case I just have little passion for. I really wish they would solve it but every time I watch it, it gets to the part that says something like "due to religious customs people did not speak to investigators", I lose interest.


This is really just despicable. I have zero patience for the kind of stuff, and I guess I am just frustrated because LE has FEW clues. Typically when a UM segment hits a snag like that, I don't really look into that much.


EDIT: Come to think of it, there are a few other cases like this. They both involve Native American reservations. Of course the Ruby Bruglier car accident and the one segment where the pregnant wife got shot in her home, she worked at a casino.

In both cases they said on the reservations, people stay quiet.


Yeah it really gets me angry when religious bull**** gets in the way of a case being solved, this is one such case.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/28/chaim-weiss-rabbinical-student-dead-murder_n_3347341.html

In May the reward for this murder increased.

I want this solved! ^^you knew some of the students? Or was this online talking?

It is an orthodox Jewish custom to open all windows in the house to let a persons spirit out after death or to open the window of the death chamber to let the spirit out as done in the bible . It is also a Scandinavian custom , and European custom in general in such places as Denmark and Poland. Did we not say the janitor was polish. And it is a polish custom to leave the window open.

It is an orthodox Jewish custom to open all windows in the house to let a persons spirit out after death or to open the window of the death chamber to let the spirit out as done in the bible . It is also a Scandinavian custom , and European custom in general in such places as Denmark and Poland. Did we not say the janitor was polish. And it is a polish custom to leave the window open.

I can't speak for Jewish customs, but I'm pretty sure opening a window to let the spirit out is never mentioned in the Bible. At least not in the Protestant one.

Thanks, I will check the other thread.

The Book of Daniel he opened a window before praying to word away evil spirits. That were the orthodox Jewish peoples get the custom.

It still sounds more like that polish janitor. It is a polish custom too.

I can't speak for Jewish customs, but I'm pretty sure opening a window to let the spirit out is never mentioned in the Bible. At least not in the Protestant one.

Not in the Catholic one, either.




Daniel had his windows open toward Jerusalem in order to pray unobstructed in that direction. There's not one reference about "praying away" evil spirits.

My in-laws are Polish. Opening a window in order to let a soul out being a Polish custom is news to me.

I'm going to say this for the thousandth time:

the religious aspects of this crime were WAY OVERBLOWN.

This was a murder in a high school dormitory. Stick to that, not obscure customs and rituals.

^ This.

There ancient customs I was doing research and was surprised too see it myself. I'm not surprised that the people today no nothing about their ancestors customs. Not everything gets passed on and it depends on how devout they are.
And if you look up death customs in poland you get: In Poland a door and windows of the house where someone died should be opened to allow the soul of the deceased to leave.

There ancient customs I was doing research and was surprised too see it myself. I'm not surprised that the people today no nothing about their ancestors customs.

People in the greater NYC area, 1986: much more connected to "ancient customs" than "people today".

Sounds about right.

And if you look up death customs in poland you get: In Poland a door and windows of the house where someone died should be opened to allow the soul of the deceased to leave.

In the 1650s peasantry backwoods, maybe.

I wonder if there's a Pole somewhere right now insisting the avoidance and destruction of black cats on the premise that they're tools of witches is a relevant American custom.


Reb's right. So much distractionary talk about completely overblown aspects of this case.

Reasons a teenager's dorm window could be opened:
-Fresh air to stay awake
-Cool air because dorms only have two temperatures: hades and arctic
-Sneaking a cigarette/joint
-Air out room because laundry is beginning to get funky
-Really stinky fart
-Dropping stuff on other kids below
-Listening to the noise of the city
-Teenage boys tend to be kind of stinky and Orthodox Jews can't shower on Shabbat. Maybe he did something earlier in the day that made him sweaty and he didn't have time to shower


Not on this list: To let the person's soul out.

If the person who perpetrated this was remotely respectful of the Jewish customs regarding death, he would not have brutally bludgeoned Chaim because that makes it harder to collect every last bit of the body to bury.

People in the greater NYC area, 1986: much more connected to "ancient customs" than "people today".

Sounds about right.



In the 1650s peasantry backwoods, maybe.

I wonder if there's a Pole somewhere right now insisting the avoidance and destruction of black cats on the premise that they're tools of witches is a relevant American custom.


Reb's right. So much distractionary talk about completely overblown aspects of this case.

Do not pop off at me over not an ancient but and old custom.

Reasons a teenager's dorm window could be opened:
-Fresh air to stay awake
-Cool air because dorms only have two temperatures: hades and arctic
-Sneaking a cigarette/joint
-Air out room because laundry is beginning to get funky
-Really stinky fart
-Dropping stuff on other kids below
-Listening to the noise of the city
-Teenage boys tend to be kind of stinky and Orthodox Jews can't shower on Shabbat. Maybe he did something earlier in the day that made him sweaty and he didn't have time to shower


Not on this list: To let the person's soul out.


you are probably right it probably had nothing to do with it. I was just sharing a little history.

If the person who perpetrated this was remotely respectful of the Jewish customs regarding death, he would not have brutally bludgeoned Chaim because that makes it harder to collect every last bit of the body to bury.

Do not pop off at me over not an ancient but and old custom.

You're not sharing history. You're digging up stuff on Google searches and grasping for straws.

We already have a pages-long thread on minutiae and what or may not be Jewish custom or religious practice. Fact of the matter is, a kid was killed and the perpetrator hasn't been caught, and we've wasted years arguing about the same trivia over and over. That's the biggest reason I stay away from the original thread, and I find it highly annoying that ONCE AGAIN, we are rehashing arguments circa 2003 in a totally new thread.

I'll say it again: Reb is right. It's a case concerning a high school kid in a boarding school, period. The boondoggle of cultural and religious arguments is just that: a boondoggle.

Daniel had his windows open toward Jerusalem in order to pray unobstructed in that direction. There's not one reference about "praying away" evil spirits.



This.

And are you suggesting that the murderer was so devout that he or she felt the need to open a window to let the spirit out, but was not devout enough to observe the command about not murdering anyone? :confused:

there is no use in talking to people who make things up to start flame wars.

For the record, the opening a window thing is actually a traditional Irish thing (as well?) and I had heard of it outside of this case, likely from family. While I think it is irrelevant in this case, it IS a custom/superstition/tradition in some communities.

Given that a lot of NYC cops are of Irish origin, it is possible that an offhanded comment by a random cop somehow led to this cultural confusion… there seems to be a lot of cultural confusion obfuscating this case.

The Book of Daniel he opened a window before praying to word away evil spirits. That were the orthodox Jewish peoples get the custom.

It still sounds more like that polish janitor. It is a polish custom too.


People ward off evil spirits, not word.


I'm not surprised that the people today no nothing about their ancestors customs.

No and Know are two different words. You should learn the difference between them.

there is no use in talking to people who make things up to start flame wars.


I'm not trying to be mean here, but your sketchy internet research sounds far more made up than anything anyone else has posted.

there is no use in talking to people who make things up to start flame wars.

I completely agree. Don't be surprised if people start ignoring you in this thread.

No and Know are two different words. You should learn the difference between them.



She should probably learn the difference between "where" and "were," too. :crazy:

Sorry but I'm not into the "religious or ancestral customs" here. It just reminds me of Unsolved Mysteries and the satanic panic of the late 80s and 90s. I cant tell you how many times UM focused WAY to much on the possible satanic aspect of a crime and it turned out it had nothing to do with it. Part of it was a little sensationalism. This boy was killed in a dormitory. If it had been a non religious typical college dorm or prep school, it wouldn't have been an issue. I sincerely doubt religion had anything to do with this crime. It was just a sick individual, whom for whatever reason (to experience the thrill of killing, a grudge ect) decided to murder an innocent boy. I do think it was someone who had intimate knowledge of the school or had some connection to the school or the boy. However, the whole religious aspect or custome thing is overblown in IMO

Sorry but I'm not into the "religious or ancestral customs" here. It just reminds me of Unsolved Mysteries and the satanic panic of the late 80s and 90s. I cant tell you how many times UM focused WAY to much on the possible satanic aspect of a crime and it turned out it had nothing to do with it. Part of it was a little sensationalism. This boy was killed in a dormitory. If it had been a non religious typical college dorm or prep school, it wouldn't have been an issue. I sincerely doubt religion had anything to do with this crime. It was just a sick individual, whom for whatever reason (to experience the thrill of killing, a grudge ect) decided to murder an innocent boy. I do think it was someone who had intimate knowledge of the school or had some connection to the school or the boy. However, the whole religious aspect or custome thing is overblown in IMO

I agree. As for suspect that may have been the fastest way for the killer to leave. Was there something said about Cheim standing on the fire escape out side his window for air earlier i nthe evening?

Nobody should ignore anyone or be personally nasty on these threads. First of, opinions are like a*******, everyone has one. (pardon my language). We are all entitled to our opinions and we should treat each other with respect and dignity. We are not debating international policies here folks, its just unsolved mysteries cases geez. However, when some people get behind a computer screen they become "keyboard warriors" and feel more comfortable and protected getting nasty with strangers. Spelling errors? Its just a way for someone to be condescending and make themselves feel intellectually superior. Somehow by doing that, it invalidates your opinion to them simply because you didn't spell check before you clicked "post quick reply". lol

Hope that made you feel better JenniferS :) Don't take it personally. Ive had rudeness on a few threads and its almost laughable

Nobody should ignore anyone or be personally nasty on these threads. First of, opinions are like a*******, everyone has one. (pardon my language). We are all entitled to our opinions and we should treat each other with respect and dignity. We are not debating international policies here folks, its just unsolved mysteries cases geez. However, when some people get behind a computer screen they become "keyboard warriors" and feel more comfortable and protected getting nasty with strangers. Spelling errors? Its just a way for someone to be condescending and make themselves feel intellectually superior. Somehow by doing that, it invalidates your opinion to them simply because you didn't spell check before you clicked "post quick reply". lol

Hope that made you feel better JenniferS :) Don't take it personally. Ive had rudeness on a few threads and its almost laughable

I was just getting annoyed because it has happened to be more than once and that is why I disappear for long periods of time. Cause I do not want to argue over a t.v. show. I 'm fine though. :) Thanks for the post ! ;) I see they reopened this case last year. Perhaps they will solve the case.

Jennifer, I am expressing disagreement with your conclusions here and have done so on certain cases that have been featured on UM (Sarah Powell included). That's kind of what this board is for--to discuss. If you don't wish to defend your conclusions, perhaps you reconsider posting on a forum that lends itself to constructing, refining, and defending arguments.

I do know that we had a good discussion on Judy Smith in the past. I certainly don't take issue with you personally. I may take issue with many of your arguments, but it's with the arguments themselves--not you.

Let them ignore me. I see there still flaming. That Sarah Powell thread gets just as nasty. Guess none of us are perfect when it comes to spelling. Thanks 88keys! ;)

Just because someone disagrees with you does not mean they are "flaming." When any of us post on a public forum, we have to be prepared for the possibility of disagreement, or the possibility that people will point out flaws in our logic. They may even point out when we are flat-out wrong, such as those of us who pointed out that there is no mention in the Bible of opening a window to ward off evil spirits.

I'm sorry, but you accused the posters here of "making stuff up to start flame wars." When you make an accusation like that, you can expect people to get defensive.

And can we please not get all spellcheck on people? There are these things called learning disabilities and rogue talk to text software issues.

And can we please not get all spellcheck on people? There are these things called learning disabilities and rogue talk to text software issues.

exactly.

Just read the original Chaim Weiss thread. All 38 pages of it. I need a stiff drink and a cigarette.

I found the comments of the Orthodox Jewish folks to be quite enlightening. This case used to be sooo creepy because of the religious part of the crime. I appreciate the comments that proved it was a big red herring on the part of UM. I really like the "Satanic panic" comparison. Really spot on.

That being said, I have no idea who killed Chaim. I think the janitor is a very interesting character. It's too bad he has passed away.

The fact that it happened on Shabbat kind of rules out anyone in the dorm unless there was someplace they could sneak away to to clean themselves up. Someone would have noticed someone showering on Shabbat in that dorm.

I've just watched this case again on the forbidden site. I still don't see how a child seen sitting on a bench by a jogger who may have been from the school is a potential lead. Clutching at straws here, I think.

The fact that it happened on Shabbat kind of rules out anyone in the dorm unless there was someplace they could sneak away to to clean themselves up. Someone would have noticed someone showering on Shabbat in that dorm.
I think the only other important religious aspect in this case is that no one would mention anyone they found suspicious because they had no proof, and saying anything without any proof would violate their beliefs. Other than that and what you brought up, I agree the religious aspects in this case are way overblown.

As for the boy seen by the jogger who may have been from the yeshiva, I think it's a good idea not to entirely discount the importance of this. He was seen in the early morning hours and would have had to have left the dorm and returned around the time of a murder. He could have seen or heard something. I can see why UM brought it up.

No, Wishfuldreamer. Nothing in Judaism prevents someone from voicing suspicions.

Everyone voiced every suspicion - if they had any.

Keeping silent is not part of the religion regardless of what the UM segment posited.
Ah, so the investigator was misinformed. I thought I had read elsewhere that this was a religious aspect, but once again it seems another facet of the case is being overshadowed by the Judaism angle.

I know you mentioned in another thread that you had a friend who went to the yeshiva, and mentioned a pretty good suspect. If everyone voiced suspicions, what would motivate the investigator to tell UM that he got nothing but silence? Could that have been his way of perhaps making an excuse for not having solved the case yet?