Middlesex County Prosecutors Seek Public’s Help in Solving 1973 Cold Case Homicides

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Not many tears were shed in East Brunswick when the notorious Hostways Hotel and the businesses surrounding it were torn down in 1993. Local lore is full of stories about the pyramid-shaped building, built in 1963 as the prototype for the Ivory Tower Hotel Group.  Many of those shady tales, alas, were true.

Fifty-one years ago in Middlesex County, two young people who were seen at the Cloud 9 Lounge in that hotel were fatally shot, and their bodies left at different locations. As a police report issued this week implies, the couple were seen at several locations on the night of April 19, 1973, though they were not always together. The murders of John Sabbatino of New Brunswick and Jeanne Biondo of East Brunswick remain unsolved and the Plainfield Police Department and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office are asking for public assistance in obtaining information regarding a cold case.

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Both were seen at three East Brunswick locations: the Cloud Nine Lounge and the Midstate Bowling Alley, and the Deauville Diner; Sabbatino at the Carousel Lounge located at South Washington Ave. and Metlars Lane in Piscataway.

The Cloud Nine was the bar at the Hostways Motel. The Cloud Nine Lounge ultimately became a go-go club. Built in 1963 and demolished in 1992, the motel was noted for its blue pyramid shape that was an easy place to spot as drivers exited the New Jersey Turnpike and headed south.  The Cloud Nine Lounge was also connected to the murder of Phyllis Thompson, a teacher whose nude body was found in the South River, who was last seen alive there on September 6, 1973, according to The New York Times.

The Deauville Diner was located off Route 18 South in the Hostways complex that included motel rooms, the lounge, and the diner.

The Midstate Bowling Alley was, until recently, located near the East Brunswick Shop-Rite on Route 18 North, off Old Bridge Turnpike.  There was also a small bar at this location.

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Shortly before 4:00 a.m. on April 19, 1973, Sabbatino, age 27, was found deceased near Otis and Grove Avenues in Edison. Biondo, age 37, was found deceased approximately three hours later in a vehicle parked in the rear of Plainfield Motor Vehicle Inspection Station on South Second Street in Plainfield. Both Sabbatino and Biondo had both died from gunshot wounds, says the PPD release.

MiddlesexTips.com, a county outlet, notes that The Home News reported in 1973 that "Police linked what initially appeared to be unrelated murders after learning that Sabbatino had rented the late-model car in which Biondo’s body was found....It was learned that Biondo was shot once and Sabbatino several times."

Based on the investigation, the victims were reported to be at several different locations in Middlesex County prior to their deaths.

Sabbatino was reported to be at the following locations prior to his death:

• Mike Kerwin's Tavern located at 353 Bound Brook Road, Middlesex
• Carousel Lounge located at South Washington Ave. & Metlars Lane, Piscataway
• Cloud Nine Lounge located at 275 Rt. 18, East Brunswick

Biondo was reported to be at the following locations prior to her death:

• Cloud Nine Lounge located at 275 Rt. 18, East Brunswick
• Midstate Bowling Alley located at Mid-State Mall 300 Rt. 18, East Brunswick
• Hostways Motel (the motel located at the same location as the Cloud Nine Lounge) located at 275 Rt. 18, East Brunswick
• Deauville Diner located at 245 Rt. 18, East Brunswick

Investigators believe there may be individuals who have not previously come forward with information. They emphasize that any detail, even if it seems insignificant, could be the missing piece that helps bring closure to the families, says a release from the PPD this week.

"John Sabbatino and Jeanne Biondo were tragically taken from their families and loved ones," Plainfield Police Director James Abney stated. "Someone out there knows what happened that night, and we implore them to come forward with any information they may have, no matter how small it may seem."

Anyone with information should contact Plainfield Police Department Lieutenant William Tyler at (908) 753-3036 or Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Sergeant Paul Kelley at (732)745-3330, or Union County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Patrick Bradley at (908) 418-2817.

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