New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has visited the family of the murdered eight-year-old boy Leiby Kletzky as they sat shiva.
Mr Bloomberg joined the Chasidic family in their week of mourning at their Brooklyn home, visting at the same time as the New York police commissioner Ray Kelly.
Mr Bloomberg said he expressed condolences to Leiby's parents, grandparents and siblings. "There is not a lot else we can say," he said. "I don't know why God sometimes does some things."
Outside the Kletzky home, a sign was posted with the message: "From the depths of our mourning hearts, thank you."
Levi Aron, the man charged with killing and dismembering the child, could be indicted as early as next week. He has been given a psychiatric evaluation and is currently in custody on suicide watch.
