BODY FOUND ON GOLF COURSE IDENTIFIED

By Michael O. Allen, Record Staff Writer | Friday, November 15, 1991

The Record (New Jersey) | 5 Star | NEWS | Page B03

The skeletal remains of a body found on a Rockland County golf course have been identified as those of a 23-year-old Paramus man who had been missing since August, authorities said.

Jay Karl Papa died from numerous stab wounds to the chest, the Rockland County Medical Examiner’s Office said. He was identified Wednesday through dental records.

Papa’s body was discovered Monday afternoon in bushes at the old Chateau D’Vie Golf Course in New Hempstead by a man walking his dog.

Dr. Frederick Zugibe, Rockland medical examiner, said it was unclear whether Papa was killed at the scene or was dumped there later.

“This is such a horrible death. He was a nice kid,” said Paramus Police Chief Joseph Delaney, whose department, along with state and federal authorities, had been working on Papa’s disappearance.

Delaney said Papa, a 1986 graduate of Paramus High School, had been missing since the last week of August.

Fort Lee police found Papa’s red, two-door 1987 Mitsubishi parked on a borough street, near Route 9W, about a week and half ago, Delaney said. The car’s doors were locked, and there was nothing in it.

Residents in the area said the car had been parked there since Labor Day weekend, Delaney said.

Papa was wearing an extra-large short-sleeve shirt with a Florida State University logo, a crucifix, slacks, and white sneakers, the chief said. A Mitsubishi car key found on the body started the car found in Fort Lee.

Ramapo town police are investigating.

The Chateau D’Vie Golf Course is now being redeveloped under the name of the New York Country Club Golf Course.

Delaney said he played in the same windmill softball league with Papa, and that his father, former Paramus recreation commissioner Victor Papa, coached teams in the league.

“A very nice kid, very polite. He was liked by many people, especially people in the league,” Delaney said.

“The family was well-known and respected in the community.”

Caption: (5s, 3s, 2s, 1s) PHOTO – Jay Karl Papa in Paramus High School yearbook picture, 1986.

ID: 17361059 | Copyright © 1991, The Record (New Jersey)