James Rackover (Jimmy)

James “Jimmy” Rackover was born James L. Rackover and was raised in New York. He later became associated with Manhattan's nightlife scene and lived in a luxury apartment on East 59th Street.

Rackover was the biological son of an Ohio man but was adopted by Manhattan jeweller Jeffrey Rackover. Jeffrey Rackover was a prominent figure in New York's luxury jewellery business, and his social connections and lifestyle gave James access to an affluent social environment.

By 2016, Rackover was living in Apartment 4C at 325 East 59th Street in Manhattan. He regularly hosted social gatherings at the apartment and was acquainted with Lawrence “Larry” Dilione and Max Gemma.

Rackover's only confirmed murder was the killing of Joseph “Joey” Comunale on November 13, 2016.

Comunale, a 26-year-old Connecticut native who had moved to New York City, had spent the evening drinking and socialising in Manhattan. After visiting a nightclub, he and several others went to Rackover's apartment for an after-party.

During the early morning hours, a violent confrontation occurred inside Apartment 4C. Comunale was beaten and stabbed. Prosecutors alleged that Rackover participated in the killing alongside Dilione.

After Comunale died, his body was placed in bags and removed from the apartment. Rackover and Dilione then transported the body to New Jersey, where it was burned and buried in a shallow grave.

Comunale's remains were discovered in Oceanport, New Jersey, on November 16, 2016, three days after his death.

The killing occurred inside Rackover's own apartment following a private after-party.

Prosecutors alleged that Rackover and Dilione participated in a violent attack on Comunale before attempting to conceal the crime rather than reporting his death.

The perpetrators transported Comunale's body from Manhattan to New Jersey, where they attempted to destroy evidence by burning and burying the remains.

The subsequent concealment effort became an important part of the prosecution's case against Rackover.

Comunale was reported missing after he failed to return home following the night out.

Investigators reconstructed his movements using surveillance footage, electronic records and witness statements. His last known location was Rackover's apartment.

Police discovered blood evidence inside the apartment and identified Rackover and Dilione as key suspects. Surveillance footage also showed activity involving Rackover's vehicle after Comunale's disappearance.

On November 16, investigators located Comunale's body in a shallow grave in Oceanport, New Jersey.

Rackover was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and related offenses.

Rackover's trial took place in Manhattan Supreme Court in 2019.

Prosecutors argued that Rackover and Dilione had killed Comunale during a violent confrontation and subsequently worked together to conceal his body.

The defence attempted to portray Dilione as the principal aggressor and argued that Rackover's role in Comunale's death was less significant. Rackover himself denied being responsible for the killing.

The jury rejected the defence and convicted Rackover of second-degree murder, concealing a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

Rackover was sentenced to an aggregate term of 28⅔ years to life imprisonment.

Dilione had separately pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and received a 23-year sentence.

The case attracted considerable attention because of the unusual circumstances surrounding Comunale's death. A young man went from a night of partying in Manhattan to being murdered inside a luxury apartment, followed by an elaborate attempt to conceal his body.

Rackover's adoptive father, Jeffrey Rackover, was a well-known Manhattan jeweller whose wealthy clientele included celebrities. James had used his adoptive father's surname and had access to the family's affluent lifestyle.

The prosecution presented evidence that Rackover had been present during the violence and subsequently participated in the disposal of Comunale's body. His defence disputed the extent of his involvement and sought to place primary responsibility on Dilione.

Lawrence Dilione ultimately pleaded guilty rather than proceeding to trial. He admitted guilt to first-degree manslaughter but attempted to withdraw his plea shortly before sentencing, claiming that he was innocent. The court rejected his request.

Max Gemma, another man present at the apartment, was not convicted of Comunale's murder. He pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence and received a six-month sentence.

The case was later featured in true-crime television coverage, including Netflix's Homicide: New York, which examined the investigation into Comunale's disappearance and the events at Apartment 4C.