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15°
Thursday, dec 26
Tag:
First Degree Murder
News
PA Teen Sentenced To 45 Years To Life For Reading Murder Of NJ Woman: DA
A Reading teenager pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to 45 years to life in prison for killing a 30-year-old New Jersey woman in 2023, Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams announced Thursday, Dec. 5. Henry Mendoza, 19, entered the plea before Berks County Common Pleas Judge Patrick T. Barrett for the shooting death of Natalie Classen, a Hoboken, NJ native recently living in Reading. The fatal shooting occurred at the intersection of 10th and Greenwich streets in the early morning hours of June 15, 2023, prosecutors said. Mendoza, then nine days shy of his 18t…
Police & Fire
NJ Man Convicted Of Beating Mom To Death, Prosecutor Says
A 38-year-old Maplewood resident was convicted on Monday, Oct. 21 of murder charges in his mother's death, which he then framed as a suicide, authorities said. Benjamin Avrut was found guilty of first-degree murder after beating his 70-year-old-mothe Gwen to death, Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said. The jury had rejected Avrut's insanity defense. On Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, Avrut entered his sleeping mother's apartment at The Top, a luxury condominium in Maplewood, Stephens said. When she awoke, Avrut beat her to death with his fists, Stephens said. Avrut, who had a hist…
Police & Fire
Blood Trail From Second Floor To Sidewalk Left By NJ Stabbing Victim: Police Papers
Newly-obtained documents paint a harrowing picture of a deadly New Jersey stabbing. Jason Torres, 32, left a trail of blood from the second floor of the home where he was stabbed to the sidewalk near Smith and Maple streets in Perth Amboy at approximately 9 p.m. Sunday, April 28, according to the affidavit for probable cause. The exact address of the stabbing was redacted from police documents, but says surveillance video shows two people leaving the side door of the address and two people leaving the front door, including the victim, before the 911 calls were placed. Jason Torres was…
Police & Fire
Florida Man Who Killed Infant, Young Mom Arrested In Routine NJ Traffic Stop: Cops
It took almost three years, but with an assist from police in Linden, officers in Florida finally got their man. Doujon Duwayne Griffiths, 23, who had been wanted in Orange County, Florida since September 2021 for killing 20-year-old Massania Malcom and leaving her 1-year-old daughter to die in a hot car, was recently arrested in Linden following a traffic stop, the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Central Florida said. During the traffic stop, Linden police discovered Griffiths had an outstanding warrant out for first degree murder, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. He will be extr…
Police & Fire
Arrest Made In Fatal Stabbing Of 27-Year-Old Woman At NJ Apartment Complex: Prosecutors
A 27-year-old Somerville man was arrested on Sunday, Feb. 4, and charged with fatally stabbing Maryrose Fealey last week, authorities said. David Shroitman was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, and hindering apprehension, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said. Maryrose Fealey Facebook Fealey, a Somerville resident was found by Somerville police responding to a 911 call, outside a residential complex on North Bridge Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, McDonald said alongside Somerset County Prosecuto…
Police & Fire
Guilty
: NJ Mom Fatally Cut 4-Year-Old Son’s Neck With Kitchen Knife, Judge Rules
A Somerset County mom has been found guilty of using a kitchen knife to kill her four-year-old son in a bench trial that lasted nearly two weeks. Elina Gutti, 38, of South Bound Brook, was found guilty of three indictments charging her with first-degree murder by the Honorable Julie M. Marino, J.S.C., on Tuesday, Dec. 19, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said in a press release alongside local officials. According to investigators, Gutti called police just before 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 stating that she had “woken up to find her wrist cut and was uncertain as to the c…
Police & Fire
Mystery
Solved
: NJ Man Killed Woman Then Dumped Her Body, Cops Say
Harrowing details are beginning to surface in the death of a South Jersey woman. After being charged with second-degree disturbing human remains, 53-year-old Carlos Acevedo, of Camden, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Cathleen McGrath, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said. McGrath, of Haddon Township, was found dead near 8th Street and Atlantic Avenue in Camden City on Nov. 15, at approximately 2 p.m., after having been missing for several weeks. Philly Folks - my friend’s niece, Cathleen McGrath, has …
Police & Fire
NJ Cops ID Triple Murder Victims, Accused Shooter (
Update
)
Police have identified the gunman accused of killing three people in a New Jersey home Monday, Nov. 27. Om Brahmbhatt, 23, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Dilipkumar Brahmbhatt, 72, Yashkumar Brahmbhatt, 38, and Bindu Brahmbhatt, 72, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Ciccone and South Plainfield Police Chief Peter Papa said only that the 23-year-old Brahmbhatt lived with and was related to the three people he killed at the Traditions condo complex on Coppola Drive. The victims were found dead in the home around …
Police & Fire
Paterson Pair Convicted In Ambush Killing Of Rival Gang Member From Newark
UPDATE: The mastermind behind the cold-blooded killing of a 21-year-old rival gang member from Newark during an ambush in Paterson was convicted of first-degree murder and one of his cronies of aggravated manslaughter on Friday. Jurors in Superior Court in Paterson needed only a day to reach guilty verdicts on Oct. 13 against Silk City residents Jaquan Thomas, 33, and Ismael Leon, 21, for gunning down Jose Figueroa. Authorities said the slaying was a “coordinated attack involving multiple shooters in multiple locations.” Thomas sent members of his gang to the area of Totowa and Redwood ave…
Police & Fire
'Covered In Blood': Charges Upgraded For Man Who Killed His Mom In Gruesome NJ Attack
Charges have been upgraded for a 44-year-old Central Jersey man whose mother died a week after a gruesome attack, police said. Herbert Roberts, of Plainsboro, is believed to have attacked his 73-year-old mom, Beverly Roberts, of Princeton Junction, the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 18, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said. Beverly was flown to Newark University Hospital after she was found covered in blood with severe injuries to her head and eyes, Ciccone said alongside Chief Eamon Blanchard of the Plainsboro Police Department. Herbert was arrested at the scene and …
Police & Fire
Woman Seen In Bloodied Clothing Stabbed Man Dead In Passaic County: Prosecutor
A woman seen outside of her home in bloodied clothing has been charged with first-degree murder in a Passaic County stabbing, authorities announced. Jamilette Huaranga, 21, of Haledon, has been charged with first-degree murder and related weapon offenses on accusations she stabbed a 19-year-old man around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Huaranga had been arguing with the victim, identified only as A.L., when she stabbed him near Lee Avenue and Legion Place in Haledon, Valdes said. A.L. was taken to Saint Joseph’s University Medi…
Police & Fire
Sister Of Slain NJ Woman Says Accused Long Island Serial Killer 'Deserves To Rot'
The younger sister of a New Jersey woman whose disappearance eventually led to the arrest of a midtown Manhattan architect who investigators believe preyed on prostitutes said she was relieved by the news. "I wished, hoped & prayed for this day," Sherre Gilbert wrote in a Facebook post. "I’m glad I’m still alive to see it." Rex Heuermann, 59, of Massapequa Park was seized after authorities matched his DNA during a full-scale investigation of what became known as the Gilgo Beach murders. Authorities have so far linked Heuermann to four of the slain victims, not including 23-year-old C…
Police & Fire
NJ Woman's Long-Ago Disappearance Leads To Arrest In Long Island Serial Killings
A decade-long hunt for a serial killer that began after an escort from New Jersey went missing on Long Island has led to the arrest of a midtown Manhattan architect who investigators believe preyed on prostitutes. Rex Heuermann, 59, of Massapequa Park was seized after authorities matched his DNA during a full-scale investigation of what became known as the Gilgo Beach murders. What began as a search for Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old Craigslist escort who lived in Jersey City, led to the discovery of the skeletal remains of four victims along a sandy stretch of Long Island highway in 2010.…
Police & Fire
Gruesome Details Released In Murder Of NJ Mom Norelis Mendoza
Police have released chilling details in the death of New Jersey mom Norelis Mendoza. Gregory Mallard is believed to have run the 32-year-old Lindenwold mom over multiple times before dumping her body along Route 440. ** WARNING: The following news article contains information that some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised. ** The criminal complaint, released by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, paints a picture of the final harrowing moments of Mendoza's life. Mendoza, who had two young daughters, was last seen leaving her mother's house in Jersey City on the evenin…
Police & Fire
Gas Station Employee Killed In NJ Assault Had Moved To US To Give Daughters Better Life
Services have been set for a 55-year-old Jersey City gas station attendant who died months after being brutally beaten while at work. Fardin Ghadami Darounkolaee was attacked in August 2022 by 26-year-old Nixon Marquez at the Shell station on Marin Boulevard and 14th Street, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez previously said. Marquez, initially charged with assault and and weapons offenses, was slapped with first-degree murder after Fardin died at a hospital in Washington DC on Saturday, May 13, Suarez said. Fardin. a dad of two, was born in Qaemshahr, Iran. He immigrated from Iran to…
Police & Fire
Sussex County Ex-Con Guilty Of Murder In Hunterdon Stabbing Of 38-Year-Old Woman, Jury Finds
A Sussex County ex-con was found guilty after a three-week trial of first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the stabbing of a 38-year-old woman in Hunterdon County, authorities announced on Friday, May 26. Brandon E. Petersen, 33, of Newton, was found guilty of first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and unlawful taking of a means of conveyance, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said. He was acquitted of his witness tampering charge. RELATED STORY — Grisly History Of Sussex Man Captured In Hunterdon H…
Police & Fire
Murder
: Arrest Made In Death Of Norelis Mendoza
An arrest has been made in the death of 32-year-old New Jersey mom Norelis Mendoza, authorities said. Gregory Mallard, 35, of Jersey City, was arrested on Friday, May 19, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, who disclosed few other details other than his charges. She did note, though, that the killing was an act of domestic violence. Mallard was slapped with charges of first degree murder and multiple charges of improperly disposing of human remains, among other charges, Suarez said. Mallard is currently in custody in Somerset County, Suarez said. Mendoza, who ha…
Police & Fire
Blood-Covered Man Spotted In Public Had Killed His NJ Grandmother, Prosecutor Says
A Carteret man has been charged in connection with the death of his 77-year-old grandmother after someone spotted him out in public, covered in blood, authorities said. On Monday, May 1, at 5:29 p.m., authorities received a 911 call reporting that an individual was seen near Taylor Avenue, who appeared to be covered in blood, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Carteret Police Department responded and found Cyril Lloyd, 26, of Carteret. Lloyd was transported back to his home, Ciccone said. When authorities entered the residence, they…
Police & Fire
Florida Man Convicted Of Killing Jersey City Dad In BJ's Parking Lot
A jury found a Florida man guilty of murder for killing a Jersey City dad in a BJ's parking lot in 2021. Ariel Dumit, 37, was convicted on all counts, including first degree murder for the shooting death of Christian Parra, following a two-week trial, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced on Tuesday April, 18. On Feb. 28, 2021, Dumit shot Parra in the torso at a BJ's parking lot at 396 Marin Blvd. in Jersey City, prosecutors said. Parra was later transferred to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, prosecutors said. Parra was remembered by loved ones as a…
News
NJ Man Said Wife Was Just Napping But Prosecutors Claim It Was More Permanent
A 40-year-old man from South Jersey called police after killing his wife, but when they found her body at the scene, he said she was taking a nap, authorities said. Babu Natarajan is believed to have strangled Angammal Babu, 41, in their Medford Township home on Tuesday, March 21, Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw alongside Medford Township Police Chief Arthur E. Waterman said. Natarajan called 911, and officers responding to reports of an unconscious and unresponsive woman found the woman's body on the bed in the upstairs master bedroom, authorities said. That's w…
Police & Fire
Morristown Man Convicted In Hotel Beating Death Of GF's 3-Year-Old Son: Prosecutor
A Morris County jury has returned a guilty verdict against a 29-year-old man who beat his girlfriend's 3-year-old son dead at a hotel in 2021, authorities announced. Edwin Urbina was convicted of first-degree murder with an aggravating factor, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, hindering apprehension, and tampering with evidence, following a seven-day trial, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said. Sentencing has been scheduled before Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Taylor, on March 16. Urbina will remain held until then. The boy arrived at Morristown Medical Ce…
News
Wrong Place, Wrong Time: Man Faces Weapons Charge As Authorities Make Murder Arrest In Trenton
A 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Trenton last fall, and a man who was with him at the time was charged on a weapons offense, authorities said. Killed in the shooting was Chron Jenks, 34, of Ewing, according to Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri. Trayvon Stokes, of Trenton, is charged with first-degree murder and multiple weapons offenses. Stokes was taken into custody Tuesday, Feb. 21 in Trenton. A subsequent warranted search was made at Stokes' residence by members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mercer&nb…
News
PA Man Sentenced For Strangling South Jersey Woman
A 42-year-old man from Pennsylvania has been sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison for strangling a woman whose naked body was found on the side of the road in 2014, authorities said. Timothy Wright, 42, of Chambersburg, PA, was sentenced Friday, Feb 17 in the murder of 25-year-old Joyce Vanderhoff, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Vanderhoff's naked body was dumped on the side of a Hamilton Township road in February 2014. A jury previously convicted Wright for first-degree murder after a two-and-a-half-week- trial that commenced this past October.…
Police & Fire
Kohberger Victims, Roommate Were Reportedly Awake During Idaho Slayings: Affidavit
The probable cause affidavit in the quadruple murders of University of Idaho students was unsealed Thursday, Jan. 5 as prime suspect Bryan Kohberger appeared in court, suggesting that at least one of the victims and one surviving roommate were awake during the crimes. It was ultimately DNA on the button snap of a knife sheath that helped police identify the 28-year-old criminology PhD student as the suspect in the Nov. 13 killings of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, according to the affidavit published in NewsNationNow. The affidavi…
Police & Fire
Suspect In Hoboken Man's Murder Captured At Area Hotel By US Marshals: Prosecutor
A 25-year-old murder suspect wanted in a 25-year-old Hoboken man's murder has been captured by the US Marshals, authorities said. Deon Williams, of Jersey City, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Christopher Garcia, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Garcia was found with a gunshot wound to the torso near 560 Marshall Drive around 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. He was taken to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:56 a.m. The Cause and Manner of Death are pendi…
News
Hackensack
Homicide
: Barbershop Shooting Victim Was Single Dad Who Worked As Dollar Store Clerk
UPDATE: On the day when loved ones laid to rest a Maywood man who was gunned down outside a Hackensack barber shop last weekend, authorities announced the arrests of his alleged killer and two accomplices. A Catholic prayer service and burial were held on Thursday morning, Nov. 17, for Vidal Nieves, a 28-year-old single dad who worked at a dollar store in Passaic. At the same time, charges were being brought against: Dior Alston, a 21-year-old laborer from South Hackensack; Malik Abel, 21, an electrician from Maywood; Rayshawn Powel-Myhand, a 19-year-old cashier from Hackensack. Alston a…
Police & Fire
NJ Murder Suspect Arrested After SWAT Standoff: Prosecutor
A 23-year-old murder suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of another man his age after barricading himself in a South Jersey home over the weekend, authorities announced. Ronin Austin Nevels has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Isaiah Shaw on Friday, Sept. 30, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Lindenwold Police Chief Michael P. McCarthy Jr. said. Shaw of Winslow Township was found with gunshot wounds on Egg Harbor Road around 9:50 p.m., and pronounced dead at the scene, MacAulay said. On Saturday, Oct. 1, Nevels barricaded himself in a home…
News
PA Woman Arrested In Central Jersey Woman's Murder: Prosecutor
A Pennsylvania woman has been arrested in connection with the murder of Deborah Brown-Hepworth, 65, of Old Bridge, authorities said. Elizabeth Jackson, 61, of Yeadon, PA, has been charged with first-degree murder and weapons offenses, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Acting Chief Donald Fritz, Jr., of the Old Bridge Police Department. On Sept. 17, at approximately 11:05 a.m., authorities received a 9-1-1 call reporting that a woman was found unresponsive in her home by a relative. Police responded to Hanna Lane and found Brown-Hepwor…
Police & Fire
Murder
: Man Dies Months After Being Stabbed By Woman In Jersey City, Prosecutor Says
A 28-year-old Jersey City woman has been charged with murder after the man she's accused of having stabbed in February died of his injuries over the summer, authorities announced. Sykirrah Kirkland stabbed Omar Boatwright, 29, who was found with injuries at 67 Lexington Ave., around 8:05 the morning of Saturday, Feb. 19, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Boatwright was treated at Jersey City Medical Center and released, but was readmitted on Saturday, July 9, for complications of the stabbing, Suarez said. He died on Friday, July 16, the prosecutor said. The Regional Medical Exa…
Police & Fire
Convicted Killer Charged With Murder In 40-Year-Old NJ Homicide Of Teen Girl: Report
A man previously convicted of murder has been identified and charged in a 40-year-old cold case involving the killing of a teen girl in New Jersey, WFMZ reports. DNA technology helped investigators identify Arthur Kinlaw — a previously convicted murderer who ran a prostitution ring in the Bronx alongside his wife — as the suspect in the homicide of Long Island resident Dawn Olanick, aka “Princess Doe,” the outlet reports citing Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer. The teenage victim’s identity had been a mystery for decades after she was brutally beaten near Cedar Ridge Cemetery in Blai…
Police & Fire
Union County Man Confesses To GF's Murder: Prosecutor
A Union County man is facing 30 years in prison after admitting in court to killing his teenage girlfriend, authorities said. Jamar Webber, 21 of Union, pleaded guilty Tuesday, July 5, to first-degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Malikah Taylor, of Newark, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel said. Taylor was found unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds by Union police officers who responded to a home in the 2100 block of Melrose Parkway near the corner of Hillcrest Terrace North on March 7, 2021, the prosecutor said. Taylor was taken to University Hospital in Newa…
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