More than 26 years ago, Chaim Weiss, a 15-year old student of Mesitva of Long Beach Torah High School was found dead in his dorm room with multiple stab wounds to his body. The case has continued to go unsolved with no suspects, but on Tuesday, Nassau County Police announced it is reopening the case with an increase to the reward.

There is a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Weiss’ killer.

Police have already begun receiving telephone tips, according to Lt. John Azzata, commander of the Nassau County Police homicide squad. It is also reviewing forensic evidence.

Weiss was a third-year rabbinical student at the Orthodox Jewish Yeshiva. When he didn’t show up for morning prayers on Nov. 1, 1986, his body was found dead in the dormitory.

It was revealed that Weiss’ body was beaten and slain. His body was also moved from his bed to the floor with the dorm room window left open as temperatures were in the low 40s. There was no sign of forced entry to his dorm room. It is believed that whoever was involved in Weiss’ killing understood the Orthodox Jewish tradition with the soul leaving the room.

This case has been particularly difficult to solve given its relation to the Jewish Orthodox belief that without “positive proof” of involvement, there should be no calling to account anyone, but as Chief of Detectives John R. Capece stated at a press conference: “We are sensitive to and respect that belief. However, a homicide has occurred and we need any information that can help us solve this case and bring justice and peace to the Weiss family.”

Weiss’ father, Anton Weiss, also appeared at the police press conference noting that his son’s friends and classmates would now be in their early 40s and likely married and parents. Understanding where he stands as a parent, he stated: “I am appealing to you and urging you in the strongest way, if you have any information that you feel the police might need in this murder investigation, I ask you, I urge you, to please contact the police department.”

Anyone with information about that can help investigators with this case is asked to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS or the Nassau Police Department’s homicide squad at (516) 573-7788. All callers will remain anonymous.

[Source: ABCNews.com; The Wall Street Journal.]