Ivy-League Murder of Anthony Nazaire Under Intense Investigation, Lawyer Says

FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — On Tuesday afternoon, Kiara Nazaire stood watch over dozens of candles on the sidewalk outside her family's Newkirk Avenue apartment building, located on the border of Ditmas Park and Flatbush.

The flickering flames formed a heart and spelled the word "Anthony." Posters with family photos adorned the wall, alongside which visitors had written messages expressing their condolences.

Anthony Nazaire, a 19-year-old student at Ithaca College who previously graduated from Brooklyn Theatre Arts High School in Canarsie, was Kiara's brother.

He was stabbed to death early Sunday morning during a large fight on Cornell University's campus — also located in Ithaca — according to Ithaca College officials and widespread media reports.

Kiara said she couldn't comment in detail on the investigation into her brother's death, but said the fatal incident "could have been prevented."

"Anthony doesn't get in any altercations," she said. "He's always smiling."

Reminiscing fondly on her brother's aspirations, Kiara said, "He wanted to be a black man with a bank. He wanted to open his own corporation."

"That boy loved school," said Patrick Janvier, a neighbor in the building who said he talked to Anthony about his school projects. Janvier laughed while recalling Anthony's banking goals, adding, "He was not settling for anything less."

Kiara Nazaire in front of a memorial to her brother

"He had this special walk," said another neighbor, imitating a person bee-lining toward an invisible target. "His walk told you he's all about business. He's focused, he's well educated, and very smart and ambitious."

Janvier said that despite his studiousness, Anthony was always playful with the children who lived in his building, his conduct and accessibility an implicit lesson in the value of a college of education.

The second neighbor added that the young man used to leave $2.25 for his mother when he left the house in the morning, so she could buy herself coffee and a donut on the way to work.

"Whoever did this is still out there," she continued, looking at the memorial candles. "He needs to be in jail."

At least 20 investigators from the Ithaca Police Department are investigating Nazaire's death, Sanford Rubenstein, an attorney for the family, told Patch on Tuesday.

The tragic on-campus murder was confirmed in a statement issued Sunday by Ithaca College president Tom Rochon. A second individual was also stabbed during the fight, Rochon wrote, although that person survived.

In a second statement, Rochon said an investigation into the fight was ongoing. "The perpetrator or perpetrators have not been identified," he said.

"The Ithaca Police Department notes that many witnesses to the incident have come forward already," Rochon said, "and they are asking anyone who might have information to contact them at 607-272-3245, or on the tipline number at 607-697-0333."

"There were multiple motorists and pedestrians in the area at the time, and police are particularly interested in obtaining any video that passersby may have taken," he said.

Rochon said Nazaire was on the board of Brothers4Brothers, a student group "dedicated to empowering men of color on our campus."

Anthony's dad, Reginald Nazaire, told The New York Times: “Anthony is what every father dreams of having as a son. The things I didn’t have a chance to finish up, he wanted to go ahead and complete for himself.”

Ithaca College student Steven Cox said in an interview with the New York Daily News that Nazaire, a business student, "was always about success and always about moving forward."

Another classmate, Britney Chambers, said Nazaire was extremely close to his mother. He had said he wanted "to give her the castle she deserves one day," Chambers remembered.

"The family is in mourning," Rubenstein said Tuesday. "This is a wonderful young man. He was a role model to so many other young people."

Asked if the Nazaire family intends on taking any legal action, Rubenstein said that "at this point, the family is focused on the apprehension" of the person or people responsible for the crime.

Nazaire's wake will take place on Sep. 9 at the Harmony Funeral Home, located at 2200 Clarendon Rd. A viewing of his body will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a prayer from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Nazaire's funeral is then scheduled for the next day, Sep. 10, at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Innocents Church, located at 279 E. 17th St.

Pictured at top: a memorial to Anthony Nazaire outside his Flatbush apartment. Photos by John V. Santore