Body of woman, 70, found in suspected East Rutherford arson

EXCLUSIVE: Arson detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the death of a 70-year-old East Rutherford woman during an apparent arson fire at her home this afternoon.

Jerry DeMarco

09/14/2012 5:04 p.m.

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli (CLIFFVIEW PILOT photo by Mary K. Miraglia) INSET: Victim Barbara Vernieri

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: An East Rutherford woman’s killer torched her house after hitting her with something — and not stabbing her, as incorrectly reported elsewhere, Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said this morning. Investigators “have not ruled out the possibility” of a link to similar killings of two elderly women in 2010, he added. READ MORE….

Responders made the grim discovery early this afternoon while battling the blaze at the two-family Sheppard Terrace home, near the Food Basics, Prosecutor John L. Molinelli told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

“Until we get the Medical Examiner’s report, we might not know for sure” whether she was killed in the fire or was already dead before it was apparently set, Molinelli said.

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