The Nassau County Police Homicide Unit is investigating an apparent murder that took place this week in the Island Trees area. The body of 46-year old Frank Curatola was found in a closet in his Collector Lane home on Monday.

According to Lieutenant Frank Guidice, detective lieutenant and commanding officer in this case, Curatola was reported missing by his brother on Monday. Guidice said that Carmine Curatola last spoke to his brother Frank at 1 p.m. on Sunday when Frank called to say that he would not be able to attend a planned family dinner but would stop by later in the day. According to the detective when his brother did not show up Carmine tried to page Frank at about 7 p.m. but Frank did not respond. "That's unusual because their mother is ill right now and he responds to those pages almost instantaneously because of his concern for his mother," said Guidice.

The detective said that the next morning Carmine called his brother's apartment, located in the basement of the Collector Lane home owned by Frank, and spoke to Frank's adopted son, Eric, who said that his father was not home.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, according to Guidice, after he spoke with his nephew Carmine went to his brother's house but when no one answered, he went to the police station. He later returned to Frank's house and, along with the tenant who rents the main portion of Frank's house, searched the basement apartment. While searching the apartment, Carmine opened a closet and discovered a pile of bloody clothes and called the police. When they arrived the police continued the search and, under the bloody clothing found the body of Curatola, who was apparently beaten to death.

Lt. Guidice said that, as of press time, they are not naming any suspects but are looking to speak with the son, Eric Curatola. Guidice also noted that Frank's 1999 white GMC Astro van, license plate DZ476M is missing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Lt. Guidice at 573-7788 or to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-TIPS.