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Murder Suspect Ruled Unfit For Trial As NJ Mom Battles Cancer And A Clock She Can't Control
The man accused of following a 27-year-old New Jersey woman home from the gym and killing her in her vehicle has been found unfit to stand trial, a judge ruled.
It's a decision that has devastated her mother, Janet Pizzelli, 60, who is now battling Stage 3 breast cancer as she waits for justice.
David Shroitman, 28, was indicted in April 2024 on charges including first-degree murder, hindering apprehension, and weapons offenses, after he allegedly followed Fealey home from the gym and stabbed her 37 times in her car on Jan. 30, 2024, prosecutors previously said.
On April 10, 2025, Shr…
NJ Among 19 States Suing To Reverse Trump's 20,000 Health Care Job Cuts: 'Reckless, Dangerous'
Over one-third of U.S. states are urging a federal judge to reverse President Donald Trump’s decision to cut 20,000 Department of Health and Human Services employees, arguing the move could have dangerous and long-lasting effects on public health.
Nineteen states — including Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland — along with Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in Rhode Island on Monday, May 5. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced in March that the agency would cut nearly 25 percent of its workforce as part of Trump’s push to overhaul the federal government and reduce spendin…
TV, Film Star With 40-Year Career Dies At 63, Leaves Lasting Legacy
Lar Park Lincoln, a fan-favorite actress known for her roles in "Knots Landing" and "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood," has died at 63.
Lincoln, who was born in Dallas, built a career that spanned more than four decades. She starred in hits like "Children of the Night," "Heart of the City," "Outlaws," and "Highway to Heaven." Her breakout role came in 1987 when she was cast as Linda Fairgate on the CBS hit soap opera Knots Landing, where she quickly became a household name.
Her family did not say how she died, but she battled breast cancer for years, the New York Post reported. She p…
Community Mourns NJ Cancer Survivor Killed In Fatal Four-Vehicle Crash
Maria Figueroa, a Randolph resident, was one of four people killed in a four-vehicle crash involving a school minivan on Thursday, April 10. She was 58.
At 3:20 p.m., the collision occurred on Route 10 near Millbrook Avenue in Randolph, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and Randolph Police Chief Will Harzula said.
A school minivan, occupied by students and employees, was involved in the crash, authorities said.
Figueroa is being remembered as a kindhearted and selfless woman, who always put others before herself…
Attorney Heather Schlemm Of Little Ferry Dies After Valiant Cancer Battle, 36
The Little Ferry community is mourning the loss of Heather Schlemm, a 36-year-old attorney remembered for her strength, kindness, and love of life. Heather died Friday, March 28, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, according to her obituary on the Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home website.
A graduate of law and an attorney with Peter N. Davis & Associates in Lodi, Heather "fought tirelessly for justice, using her sharp mind and compassionate heart to make the world a fairer place," her obituary reads.
"Heather was not content to merely exist-she lived. She wandered the world…
Paterson Podcaster, Car Enthusiast Armando Mercado Dies, 39: 'Our Family Is Devastated'
Shock and sadness spread following the death of Armando Francisco Mercado, a Paterson resident who passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 25 after a four-year battle with cancer, according to his obituary on the Shook Funeral Home website and a GoFundMe launched for his support.
Born in Nyack, NY, Armando aka Mandi was a "proud" Paterson resident of 35 years, who spent most of his career working in sales, most recently at Verizon in Butler, his obituary says.
A lifelong movie lover, Armando shared his opinions on film through his podcast, The DRD Show, which has nearly 200 episodes, according to his…
NJ Mom Dies After Year-Long Cancer Battle: 'We Are All Devastated'
For Karina L. Andrade, giving up was never an option.
The 41-year-old Newark mother of three had just been promoted to chef manager at Sodexo, a moment she and her husband, who had also been promoted to executive chef, had been working toward for years, according to a GoFundMe started by Alecia Hemler.
Then, in February 2024 in a cruel twist of fate, a routine mammogram changed everything.
Doctors delivered the devastating news: Stage 4 aggressive breast cancer, the GoFundMe states.
Karina endured radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, battling through a summer of pain and uncertainty, the…
FDA Bans Red No. 3 Due To Cancer Concerns About Artificial Coloring In Many Foods
The Food and Drug Administration has officially banned Red No. 3, a synthetic dye that gives certain foods their vivid cherry-red hue, due to cancer concerns in lab animals.
The FDA revoked the authorization for the coloring's use in food products, oral drugs, and dietary supplements, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Manufacturers have until Friday, Jan. 15, 2027, to remove Red Dye 3 from food products and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2028, for drugs. Products made before these deadlines may still appear on shelves if they were manufactured before …
Journalist Richard Cohen, Husband To Meredith Vieira, Dies After Half-Century MS Battle
Journalist and author Richard Cohen has died after inspiring countless people through his decades-long battle with MS and cancer.
Cohen, the husband of former TODAY anchor Meredith Vieira, died on Tuesday, Dec. 24, TODAY reported. The Plainview, New York, native was 76 years old.
A veteran reporter, Cohen lived with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years and overcame two cancer diagnoses during his life. He was also legally blind.
Cohen, who worked for CBS News, was given his MS diagnosis in 1973.
"I was diagnosed when I was 25 years old and essentially told there is no…
Bergen County Mom, Teacher Jennifer Paradiso Dies, 44: 'Always Saw The Best In People'
Support is on the rise for the family of Jennifer Paradiso, 44, a Bergen County wife, mother of three, and longtime educator, who died on Thursday, Dec. 12.
“Jenn was an incredible wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who always saw the best in people,” reads a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $22,800 as of press time.
Jenn battled cancer twice, once in 2015 and again in early 2023.
"Where most would have faltered or given up, she courageously continued her fight never once missing a beat," the campaign, launched by her family, continues.
Jenn was born and ra…
Corrections Officer From Bergen County Dies Months After Cancer Diagnosis, 51
The New Jersey Department of Corrections is mourning the loss of Senior Correctional Police Officer Ryan Robert Stemple, who died on Monday, Dec. 2.
Ryan, 51, of Park Ridge (Bergen County), was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer that metastasized to a small area of his lung earlier this year, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched for his daughter.
"He was a very proud father, great son, brother, cousin and friend to many," writes Jen Van Cleef in an update on the campaign.
"Ryan expressed he was not afraid to the unknown but more sad. He said he is going to miss …
'Glue That Kept Friend Group Together,' Jersey City Dad Justin Chang Dies Suddenly, 42
A Jersey City family is grieving the loss of their patriarch, Justin M. Chang, who died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched for his loved ones. He was 42 years old.
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Justin is survived by his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Joshie (3) and Kylie (1).
Known for his unwavering faith and generosity, Justin touched the lives of many, always putting others first. Despite his recent battle with cancer, he faced every challenge with optimism and strength, reads the GoFundMe, launched by a group of lo…
Jake Mocko's Legacy: Morris County Mourns Loss Of Compassionate Young Leader
A Morris County community is mourning the loss of Jake Peter Mocko, a 20-year-old who passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 20, 2024, surrounded by family, his obituary on the Madison Memorial Home website says.
Jake, a Madison resident and digital design student, courageously battled Grade IV astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive central nervous system cancer, for three and a half years.
Jake worked at the front desk at the Madison YMCA, where he decided to start a dual language subscription so that he could learn to speak Spanish fluently, his obituary continues. Jake wanted to be able to h…
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, Essex County Mom, Dies At 45
Gabriela Ayala-Cortes, a mom and Verona resident, died on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the age of 45 of cancer, according to her obituary on the Shooks Cedar Grove Funeral Home.
Born in Ecuador, Ayala-Cortes emigrated to the United States in 2003, her obituary reads. She worked as the director of regulatory affairs operations for Organon and Company in Jersey City, according to her obituary.
She is survived her husband, Carlos, her children, Camila and Isabella, her parents Rodrigo and Marcia, and numerous other family members and friends, her obituary reads.
A fundraiser has been created to suppo…
