What Happened in Apartment 4C?

The episode "What Happened in Apartment 4C?" from the podcast 48 Hours investigates the mysterious disappearance and subsequent murder of 26-year-old Joseph Cominelli, a charismatic and well-liked young man from Stamford, Connecticut, who vanished after a night out at the Gilded Lily nightclub in Manhattan's Meatpacking District on November 12, 2016. After being seen leaving the club with three women and two men—Larry DeLeon and James Rackover—Joey was last seen walking back into the Grand Sutton, a luxury condo on Sutton Place, with DeLeon. Despite initial reassurances from DeLeon that Joey had left with the women, surveillance footage contradicted this, showing Joey returning into the building. This discrepancy, combined with the discovery of Joey’s bloodied clothing and personal items in the building’s trash, led to a full investigation. The case unraveled through the tireless efforts of Joey’s friends, particularly Max Branchinelli, who used social media to trace connections. Ultimately, James Rackover was convicted of murder, Larry DeLeon pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and Max Gemma was convicted of hindering justice. The episode reflects on the profound grief of Joey’s family and friends, and the lasting impact of his loss, symbolized by tattoos and memorials.