The headline on the New York Post 's cover Sunday about the kidnapping and killing of a Brooklyn man drew heavy criticism and left some calling for an apology from the newspaper known for being provocative . The cover featured a photo of Menachem Stark , 39 , accompanied by the words , `` Who did n't want him dead ? '' Stark was found dead in a trash bin Friday with several injuries to his body , Sgt . Lee Jones of the New York Police Department told CNN . Stark died of compression asphyxiation , which means someone or something pressed on his chest and lungs , suffocating him , a law enforcement source briefed on the investigation and autopsy told CNN Monday . There were also marks on his back consistent with him being tied up or otherwise restrained , the source said . Stark and his business partner own a real estate company called South Side Associates . The Post alleges that Stark owed thousands of dollars in penalties from dozens of Department of Building violations . The article also describes awful living conditions that his tenants allegedly endured . `` He pretty much ripped off the whole building , '' the post quoted Ryan Kuonen , a tenant organizer . Titled `` Slain slumlord found in trash has enemies list a mile long , '' the Post 's article paints Stark , who was the landlord of dozens of buildings , as a shady character with questionable business dealings . Police are not commenting on these allegations . Stark 's family , who is trying to make sense of the death , remembers the father of seven as a generous community man . `` It really hurts that such a heinous crime , instead of being condemned , is glorified , '' said Rabbi David Niederman , president of the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn . Niederman told CNN he does not know anything about Stark owing money or having legal problems . People may fall on hard times , but they work it out , he said . The Post is giving people a `` license to kill , '' Niederman added . Abraham Buxbaum , Stark 's brother-in-law , calls the Post 's reporting character assassination . The article included comments from anonymous law enforcement officials and tenants . `` I 've had many conversations with him , and of course in many of those conversations , I wanted to kill him , '' the Post quoted Greg Hanlon , who lived in a Stark-owned building , as saying . Buxbaum , who is also a landlord , said it is impossible to keep all tenants happy . `` The question is what is the motive ? The motive might be to sell as many copies as possible or it could be that he is Jewish and a lot of people do n't like Jews . It makes you wonder , '' Buxbaum told CNN . Stark 's family is offering a $ 25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest . New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind , who issued a statement on Sunday condemning the Post 's reporting , said he was in `` absolute shock '' when he first read the article . It `` almost justifies his murder , '' added Hikind . `` The Post does not say Mr. Stark deserved to die , but our reporting showed that he had many enemies , which may have led to the commission of this terrible crime , '' said a Post spokeswoman in a statement . `` I think what everyone wants is a simple apology , '' said Hikind . The Brooklyn landlord was last seen on surveillance video on Thursday walking out of his office . He struggled with two individuals who forced him into a Dodge Caravan , according to a police statement . Stark was known to carry large amounts of money , the law enforcement source said . No motive has been established , and authorities are investigating possibilities , including his business dealings , the source said . Stark 's body was found inside of a Long Island trash bin with burns to his torso and hands , and bruising to his head and neck , according to Jones . The case is under investigation . New York Post takes heat over haunting subway photo . Rolling Stone cover of bombing suspect called 'slap ' to Boston .
Landlord Menachem Stark was suffocated , a law enforcement source says . The New York Post 's cover featured the headline ` ` Who did n't want him dead ? '' The article quotes disgruntled tenants and claims they owed him money . Apparently , Jewish community leaders are angry and hurt by the headline , article .