New York City police are looking for the murderer of a New York Red Bulls youth soccer coach in a brutal stabbing that included leaving the victim’s severed ear lying on the sidewalk and witnesses wondering if the death was some kind of sick joke.
Michael Jones, 25, was found just before 4:30 a.m. Sunday at the corner or 14th Street and 5th Avenue. He was slashed several times through the neck and chest, and officers covered his severed ear with a a plastic cup to hide it from passersby. Jones was rushed to Bellevue Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival, reports the New York Times.
There is a surveillance video, however, in which Jones is seen walking with a man, believed to be in his late 20s, who may be the killer.
Witnesses at the scene were horrified.
It was a frenzy. The guy was chopped multiple times. He cut the guy’s ear off. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.
The Red Bull said team officials are aware of the death and said Jones will be missed.
He was a tremendous individual, a fantastic coach who loved soccer and a terrific friend for many of us. This is truly a sad day for our soccer community and we will do our utmost to help authorities in their investigation of this case. Our thoughts and prayers are with Michael’s family at this time.
One witness said Jones was so mutilated, it looked like a Halloween prank.
We thought it was a Halloween joke or something because his phone was there, so maybe if we tried to get his phone that he’ll pop up or something.
Police said they don’t believe robbery was a motive, because Jones’ iPhone, covered with blood, was lying on the ground.