Daniel Dombrowski found dead at Port Jefferson Station business, police say

The manager of a wax-melting-machine shop was found dead inside the Port Jefferson Station business by the owner Thursday, Suffolk police said.

Daniel Dombrowski, 37, was described by police as a "victim of violence."

He was last seen when Melting and Filling Equipment on North Bicycle Path closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday, homicide Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer said.

But when employees arrived Thursday morning, they found the door still locked, he said.

"The employees contacted the owner when the business wasn't open in the morning," he said. "The owner came in and found him dead in the vestibule of the building and called 911."

Dombrowski, of Port Jefferson Station, had worked for the company for three years, police said.

Beyrer declined to detail the type of injuries the victim suffered, saying an autopsy will help shed light on what happened.

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"It was not clear how he was killed," he said.

There did not appear to be any signs of forced entry in the building, Beyrer said. He declined to say if there were signs of a struggle.

A police dog could be seen being used in the investigation.

Joseph Miceli, 54, owner of Spins Gymnastics school, greeted parents and caregivers of the 25 children in his summer classes Thursday afternoon outside the Bicycle Path Business Center, where both businesses are located, and assured them the kids all were fine.

Miceli said school officials contacted all of their clients to warn them of the police activity "so they wouldn't be surprised."

"We wanted to make absolutely certain that they know their children are safe," he said.

Melting and Filling Equipment's website said it sells wax-melting and pouring machines and also candle-making equipment. It lists some of the world's biggest corporations and the federal government as clients, including the U.S. Air Force, DuPont and Procter & Gamble.

Company officials could not be reached Thursday afternoon.

The business Thursday evening was cordoned off with crime-scene tape, and two officers monitored the location, while detectives canvassed the area.

Detectives said anyone with information can call 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-8477.

With Tania Lopez