Reward Posters Surface for 2003 Orchard Street Murder of Burke O’Brien
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Exactly eleven years ago, 25-year-old Chicago native Burke O’Brien arrived in Manhattan to start a new job at Bank of America. A week later, after a night of partying, he was shot to death while returning to his sister’s apartment at 75 Orchard Street. The assailant fired a round into his chest after an alleged robbery went bad.
In 2004, ABC aired a documentary about the investigation (NYPD 24/7), which chronicled the 7th Precinct as it tried to build a case against O’Brien’s friend Forrest Bloede. He was there that night, and had been the prime suspect, charged with murder. The charges were eventually dropped, though, and the case continued its cold streak.
Fast forward to yesterday, the anniversary of the murder…
The 7th Precinct has a sketch of the perpetrator, and is canvassing the immediate area of Broome and Orchard with reward posters ($2,000 for tips).