Reward raised to $27,500 in murder of Bruce Cucchiara

Friends and family of a murdered Covington man are coming together in a big way to try and solve the crime.

They have contributed one of the biggest rewards in recent memory to hopefully lead to an arrest.

He was a man known as a good father, a coach, and Vivian Cucchiara's son.

"I'm ninety years old and I never thought Bruce would pass away before me," she said.

Cucchiara's family and friends came together Thursday to announce a major boost in the fund designed to get someone with information about the murder to come forward.

"People can't just kill people for any reason and that's what they've been doing in New Orleans," his wife Anne said.

The reward is now one of the biggest in recent memory and has been raised to $27,500.

"I want to live long enough to see my son's killer brought to justice. I hope to look him in the eyes and say why did you do this," said his mother Vivian.

Bruce Cucchiara was killed nine days ago in the Mark VII apartment complex off Chef Highway in New Orleans East.

"We seem to believe this was a random act; a robbery that went wrong at that time, said NOPD investigator Orlando Mathews.

His friend Les Heidelberg said, "Bruce was walking a daughter down the aisle in October and we lost him. He was going to have another granddaughter in October too."

It was a remarkable show of support for a man who coached dozens of young people in the Covington area. It's a legacy which friends and family want to see live on.

Not only have friends pushed the reward to over $27,000, but they are also funding a program designed to help youth programs in Cucchiara's honor.

For now, the goal is to have someone come forward with information about a killer.

"He didn't see the bad people. He just saw the good. He came looking for good not expecting to be shot in the head, his wife said.

Police put together a sketch and have described the suspect as a light-skinned, African American man, in his mid-twenties, between 5'9" and 6 feet tall, with a slim build.

Officials hope the new reward helps lead to the killer of a man loved by many.

New Orleans police say they are looking at surveillance video that may assist them in the case.

They also say the feds are involved.

If you have any information that can help solve the Cucchiara murder, call Crimestoppers at 822 1111.