Dermatologist stabbed to death in downtown office

Dermatologist stabbed to death in downtown office
Tenant reports seeing man in bloody shirt
By Emma Graves Fitzsimmons
Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
Published October 26, 2006


Police on Wednesday were investigating a tenant's account that a young man in a bloody shirt was seen in the downtown high-rise where a dermatologist was stabbed to death in his office.

Detectives said they had reviewed surveillance camera footage from the lobby of the building at 30 N. Michigan Ave., where Dr. David Cornbleet, 64, was killed Tuesday night.

Cornbleet, of Lincolnwood, was found about 8:10 p.m. by his daughter in his 12th floor office, said police spokeswoman Monique Bond. He was pronounced dead at the scene about three hours later, officials said.

An autopsy determined Cornbleet died of multiple stab wounds, and the Cook County medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide.

No one was in custody Wednesday night, but police said they had collected "a lot of evidence" from the 21-story building.

Cornbleet, a father of two, had an office in the high-rise for 28 years, according to colleagues in the building.

Cornbleet did not have staff to check in patients or answer phones, which was unusual, said Dr. Omeed Memar, another dermatologist in the building.

Memar said Cornbleet often saw first-time patients and typically left the building by 6 p.m.

"He was at the mercy of every person who walks in there," said Memar.

Guests at the building, which mostly consists of medical offices, are required to sign in with a security guard after 6:30 p.m., said Lis Weiner, a spokeswoman for Marc Realty, which manages the building.

Otherwise, they come and go freely during the day in the busy building, which faces Millennium Park, she said.

Weiner said the Washington Street entrance is staffed with a security guard at a desk until 9 p.m. After that, the only way in is by swiping a key card.

The company released a statement saying staff is cooperating with police.

Friends and neighbors gathered at Cornbleet's one-story red brick home Wednesday afternoon in Lincolnwood.

The family released a statement that read: "We are all incredibly saddened and shocked by this tragic and horrible loss. Dr. Cornbleet was a devoted father, husband, and friend. Selfless and caring, Dr. Cornbleet devoted his life to treating patients and improving their lives."

Colleagues and friends echoed that sentiment Wednesday.

Cornbleet, whose father was also a dermatologist, loved to travel and collect art, said Memar.

Alan Jaffe, a psychologist who worked across the hall from Cornbleet for more than 20 years, said the dermatologist was "a very gentle, kind man--someone who would put you at ease in a moment."

Jaffe said he was concerned about security in the building and hoped the management would require guests to produce identification when entering.

"I was dumb-founded," he said of hearing about Cornbleet's death.

"It's very frightening to know someone came in and murdered a colleague in such proximity to where I work every day."

Bond said a tenant reported seeing a young man in a bloody shirt in an elevator on Tuesday evening.

Police sent out an alert to tenants of the building Wednesday asking for help from anyone who might have seen the young man exiting the building, said Bond.

Glenn Penaranda, an employee at the Philippine Consulate, which occupies the building's top floor, said he was worried about security.

"We don't want these things to happen," he said.

"Everyone is concerned about safety."

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efitzsimmons@tribune.com