NYPD: Strangulation May Have Been Cause of Death of Manhattan Man Found in His Apartment

The NYPD says strangulation may have been the cause of the death of an Upper West Side man found in his apartment earlier this week. 

Police say 54-year-old Savyon Zabar, who sources say weighed more than 400 pounds, was found dead in a bedroom in his apartment on West 81st Street near Amsterdam Avenue Wednesday morning.  

Sources tell NY1 Zabar was last seen in his room with a masseur, who they say he may have had a sexual relationship with.  

Neighbors and friends say they're shocked to hear about his death.

"He was a great person. Like I said, if you needed something, he would always made sure to make you comfortable. He would never, ever want to make you uncomfortable. So how can a person like that be evil or bad or whatever? And how can one person take another person's life? I don't get it," said one person in the neighborhood.

"Seemed pleasant," said another. "I just saw him it the elevator. Not just now, but whenever we met."

There is no word of any arrests or suspects in connection with Zabar's death. A GoFundMe page has been set up in his honor.