Police Not Searching For Suspects

"HAZLET, NJ — The residential neighborhood on Peter Place, where two bodies were found Saturday, seemed quiet and peaceful Monday morning—almost a world away from the crime scene that drew police.

"Thomas C. Huth, director of the major crimes bureau at the Monmouth Prosecutors Office, confirmed the deceased as Christine Dzienisiewski and her husband Richard Dzienisiewski.

"Two days ago police found a man and woman, both 37, in what authorities say may be a murder/suicide. There was still some police tape sectioning off a small part of the house Monday morning, but almost nothing else seemed out of the ordinary.

"The crime scene blended in with other houses on Peter Place with Christmas decorations and manicured front lawns. Snowflake decorations adorned the walkway of the house, leading up to the front porch.

"Christine Dzienisiewski died as a result of a homicide, Huth said. He confirmed that Richard died as a result of self-inflicted wounds, but he could not offer more details as the investigation is pending.

"Webster said authorities are not searching for any suspects, and that the community is not in danger."

From app.com...

Couple Found Dead In Trailer Park

"MOONACHIE, NJ — Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli this afternoon confirmed the identities of an engaged couple found dead in a murder/suicide at a Moonachie trailer home overnight.

"Authorities were called at 3:07 a.m. by another man who lived at 3 West 1st Street in the Vanguard Trailer Park off Moonachie Avenue, the prosecutor said.

"There they found the bodies of April Marie Wallace Ellialtioglu and Jeffrey Scarpanito Jr. on the living room floor, both with gunshot wounds in the head, he said.

"Scarpanito, 34, killed Wallace Ellialtioglu before turning the gun on himself, Molinelli said.

"The 33-year-old Ellialtioglu, who worked at Wal-Mart, cheated death several years ago after falling off an ex-boyfriend’s car at a Lodi Dunkin Donuts and sustaining severe head trauma, family sources told [reporters].

"Scarpanito was a Nevada native whose mother is a schoolteacher in Paterson.

"Autopsies were being conducted today by the Bergen County Medical Examiner.

"Molinelli’s Major Crimes Unit was investigating. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence."

Source: cliffviewpilot.com...

Four Gunshot Victims Found In Bedroom, 2 Dead

"TABERNACLE, NJ — New Jersey State Police have released the names of the three children who were shot in what appears to have been an attempted murder/suicide in Tabernacle, New Jersey.

"Financial troubles may have led to the violence.

"Investigators say the incident was reported at 9:16 a.m. Thursday at a home on 39 Holly Park Drive.

"According to investigators, all of the victims were shot inside the same bedroom.

"8-year-old Nadia Harriman and 14-year-old Nicholas Harriman were dead when police arrived on the scene.

"11-year-old Alexander Harriman and 44-year-old Jeaninne LePage were still alive, and rushed to Cooper University Hospital in Camden where they remain in critical condition.

"LePage, who had been shot in the head, is said to be the mother of the children.

"All four are believed to have been shot with the same weapon—a handgun found at the scene.

"The incident was reported by family members, police said, who were in the home. Investigators say nobody heard the shooting.

"Capt. Stephen Jones said, `We are not getting into reasons why right now.`"

Read more at 6abc.com...

Wife Commits Suicide, Husband's Manner Of Death "Undetermined"

"SUSSEX, NJ — Friends of a husband and wife found dead in their home on Thursday morning described the couple as `wonderful people.`

"`It's been a rough week,` said a friend who asked not to be identified. `This is a very quiet upscale neighborhood. It's a tragedy.`

"At 9:55 a.m., police responded to 27 Woodland Hills Drive in response to a welfare check and found Cindy Fortino, 41, and Dean Fortino, 45, dead, according to township police.

"The Sussex County medical examiner conducted an autopsy and determined that the cause of death for each was a gunshot wound. The manner of death for Cindy Fortino was suicide and the manner of death for Dean Fortino is currently classified as undetermined, pending further investigation, police said.

"`There is no evidence that a third party was involved and no cause for public alarm,` Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller said Friday afternoon.

"The precise time of their deaths is unknown, according to Mueller.

"According to Cindy Fortino's Facebook page, the couple married in August 2003 and had two children, a daughter, age 10, and a son, age 7.

"Vernon police were assisted by the New Jersey State Police crime scene unit and the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office."

Source: njherald.com...

Police Peer Through Windows, Find Bodies

"BELLEVILLE, NJ — A man and woman are dead after an apparent murder/suicide in Belleville, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said Saturday.

"Police discovered the bodies of John Sykes, 47, and Felicia Hunt, 23, in a home on 62 New Street around 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to the prosecutor’s office. Officers were called to the residence to check on Sykes after he didn't show up for work.

"`As the officers peered in a window they observed a male and female lying dead,` the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

"Sykes apparently killed Hunt before taking his own life, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Detectives Anthony Ambrose said.

"The two lived together at the house and `appeared` to be involved in a relationship, according to the prosecutor’s office.

"Autopsies were pending and the Essex County Homicide Task Force was investigating.

"Authorities did not immediately provide additional details."

From newsday.com...

Welfare Check Reveals Bodies Of Father And Son, 11

"SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Scotch Plains man shot his 11-year-old son with a rifle and then shot himself sometime last week, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced today.

"The prosecutor said the office was able to identify the father as Jens Elberling, 48, after performing autopsies and examining physical evidence and dental records. A spokesman for the office later confirmed the son's identity as Thomas Elberling, 11.

"The prosecutor's office said police arrived at the home on 330 Jerusalem Road on Saturday morning in response to a welfare check request from a family member.

"Arriving officers found the two bodies inside the home and also recovered a rifle used in the shootings, the prosecutor said. There were no signs of forced entry, she added.

"Mark Spivey, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office, could not say who exactly made the welfare check request. Spivey also said the exact times of death are still being determined, but that neighbors last reported seeing Elberling and his son sometime last week.

"Thomas Elberling was homeschooled and did not attend local public schools, the prosecutor said.

"`This was an unthinkable tragedy that cut short a young life,` Park said. `We want to extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this time.`"

From nj.com...

Three Octogenarians Dead In Double Murder/Suicide

"HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — An elderly man shot his wife and his brother-in-law to death before killing himself on 138 Burr Place Wednesday morning, according to the Bergen County prosecutor.

"Police discovered the bodies of Angelo and Antoinette Talignani, a couple both around 80 years old, at their Burr Place home after a health aide living with the pair heard gunfire and called 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s house around 8:20 a.m., Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said.

"The bloodshed began between 7:30 and 8 a.m. when Angelo Talignani went to the nearby home of his brother-in-law, Anthony Gentile, took two guns Gentile legally owned and shot him dead, Molinelli told reporters at a briefing.

"It's not clear whether there was a struggle, Molinelli said.

"Talignani went back home and shot his wife as she lay in bed before turning the gun on himself, the prosecutor said.

"Police found Gentile's body after a relative recognized the guns Talignani used as belonging to him, according to the prosecutor.

"Investigators have not yet determined a motive in the slayings, but Angelo Talignani had a history of depression, Molinelli added."

Read more at nj.com...

Shooter Botches Suicide After Killing Son, Wife

"STRATFORD, NJ — Investigators say a man fatally shot his wife and then wounded himself inside a hospital room in South Jersey Wednesday.

"In addition, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office said the couple’s son was later found fatally shot at their home.

"The incident happened inside Kennedy University Hospital on E. Laurel Road in Stratford, New Jersey.

"According to investigators, 63-year-old Raymond Wychowanec went to visit his wife, 62-year-old Denise Wychowanec, at about 9:25 a.m. in a second floor room at the hospital.

"Approximately 45 minutes later, hospital staff reported hearing gunshots. Investigators said Raymond shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself.

"Denise Wychowanec died a short time later.

"Raymond Wychowanec was air-lifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for treatment of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Officials found the body of 35-year-old Ryan Wychowanec at the couple’s home in Glendora, New Jersey later Wednesday afternoon.

"Neighbors say there appeared to be something odd about the family.

"Ian Housman says of the father, `He had seemed odd a little. He was a little funky.`

"Dan O’Brien adds, `He gave me a weird look, like a grin.`

"However neighbors say they do not recall any specific incidents at the Wychowanec home.

"Investigators are testing to see if the gun used at the hospital is the same gun used in the shooting at the home."

From CBS Philadelphia...

Former County Clerk, Husband Found Dead In Home

"DENVILLE, NJ — A retired New Jersey elected official who once served alongside Gov. Chris Christie was killed by her husband in their North Jersey home Thursday before he turned the gun on himself, authorities said.

"The body of former Morris County Clerk Joan Bramhall, who over the course of the 50-year career held several elected offices, was found by police near her husband’s corpse, according to the Star Ledger.

"The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that Bramhall was shot by her husband, John, on Thursday morning and then shot himself.

"The Prosecutor’s office said Denville Police responded to a call from a family member who found the deceased couple in the home.

"Several officials confirmed to the Daily Record that it was the couple, both of whom were in their 70s, that police found inside.

"John Bramhall was a construction developer who built many of the homes in the area, the Daily Record reported.

"Joan Bramhall retired as county clerk in December 2013, opting not to run for a fourth term after 15 years on the job, according to the Star Ledger. She chaired the Morris County Republican Committee from 1988 to 1994, and served on the county legislature from 1993 to 1998—alongside Christie, who later became a U.S. attorney and then governor of the state.

"A staffer at the Republican Committee could not confirm, nor comment on Bramhall’s reported death."

From nydailynews.com...

Relative Finds Bodies In Bedroom

"MAPLE SHADE, NJ — The deaths of a southern New Jersey couple whose bodies were found inside their home last week have been ruled a murder/suicide.

"Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi announced the finding on Monday.

"Bernardi said the investigation revealed 42-year-old Craig Hike of Maple Shade fatally shot his 39-year-old wife, Nicole, before taking his own life in their Arlington Avenue home on Friday.

"Bernardi said a relative called police shortly after 9 p.m. Friday after finding the couple in their bedroom. An autopsy conducted Sunday determined both died from gunshot wounds.

"Further details on the deaths were not disclosed."

From the Asbury Park Press...

Former JPMorgan Exec & Wife Found Dead

"LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ — JP Morgan executive director Julian Knott blasted his wife Alita to death with a shotgun before turning the gun on himself.

"The 45-year-old, who worked for the investment bank in London until July 2010, shot his 47-year-old wife multiple times before committing suicide with the same weapon.

"The couple met in London, with Alita opening nursery Quayside Tots Playgroup in Southwick, West Sussex, before they moved to the United States.

"She remained the playgroup's care provider until at least February 2013, according to the nursery's most recent Ofsted report.

"Julian moved to the United States from London in 2010 and was working at JP Morgan's Global Network Operations Center in Whippany, New Jersey, at the time of the tragedy.

"Jefferson Township police, in New Jersey, confirmed on Sunday they had found two unconscious bodies at the Knotts' large suburban home at 1.12am.

"A statement released on Tuesday added: `Through an extensive investigation conducted by the Jefferson Township Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutors Office and the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office the preliminary investigation has revealed that the two adults died as a result of gunshot wounds and the incident has been determined to be a murder/suicide.

"`This preliminary investigation revealed that Julian Knott, age 45, shot his wife Alita Knott, age 47, multiple times and then took his own life with the same weapon.`"

Source: International Business Times...

Pile Of Mail Leads To Gruesome Scene

"EGG HARBOR TWP, NJ — Two men were found dead of gunshot wounds in their London Court, Egg Harbor Township home Saturday afternoon, the result of a murder/suicide.

"At 1:28 p.m., Egg Harbor Township police responded to 254 London Court, after receiving a 9-1-1 call from a neighbor reporting that mail had been accumulating outside the residence, and that the two men residing at the address had not been seen since Thursday.

"Police found two men inside the home, dead of gunshots. The victims were identified as Andrew Breznitsky, 58, and Del McKenzie, 58, both of the 254 London Court address.

"Breznitsky had gunshot wounds to the head. McKenzie had gunshot wounds to the chest. A small-caliber semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

"Next-of-kin were notified.

"Autopsies were performed on Sunday, May 25, by the New Jersey State Medical Examiner's Office. The causes of death of both men were fatal gunshot wounds; the manner of death: murder/suicide.

"Investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department, and the New Jersey State Medical Examiner's Office concluded that McKenzie killed Breznitsky, shooting him twice in the head, before turning the gun on himself and firing two shots into his own chest."

Source: nj.com...

Preliminary Investigation Points To Murder/Suicide

"NEWARK, NJ — Alberto Fermin-Alomar fatally shot his 46-year-old wife in their Newark home Saturday afternoon, before turning the gun on himself, authorities said.

"The bodies of Fermin-Alomar, 52, and wife Ana Luisa Peralta De Fermin were discovered with apparent gunshot wounds in their Lincoln Avenue home around 6 p.m. Saturday, according to acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Sheilah Coley.

"A preliminary investigation determined Fermin-Alomar shot his wife, then shot himself. Detectives did not release any additional details, and the investigation is ongoing, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit."

From nj.com...

Bystander Rescues Mom, Kids From Watery Grave

"FLORENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Joann Smith drover her van down a boat ramp and into the Delaware River with her children inside.

"The three kids, ages 13 to 15 began screaming and trying to call 911 on their cell phones.

"Their father, Jeffrey Smith received a chilling call from his daughter at 6:30 p.m., but he was too far away to help.

"Luckily, Darnell Taylor and his wife were driving nearby and heard the screaming.

"Taylor jumped into the freezing water to help. `I couldn't get the window open because the window in the van was not a pop-out window,` he told [reporters].

"The three children struggled inside while Taylor tried to help.

"`I kept telling the young lady to kick the window out, and she kicked it out,` he said.

"The kids and their mother scrambled safely to shore.

"Police in Florence Township, New Jersey arrested Joann Smith and charged her with three counts of attempted murder and child endangerment. A minor cut to a leg to one of the kids was the only injury.

"Taylor downplayed his part of the rescue but did recall one thing he thought was odd.

"He said Smith `only said thank you` one time during the rescue. "

From KRMG...

Police Find Bodies, Gun In Home

"RINGWOOD, NJ — Authorities have identified the two men who were killed in a murder/suicide and discovered overnight Sunday in a house on Cupsaw Drive.

"Chief Assistant Passaic County Prosecutor Michael DeMarco said in a statement that borough police found the bodies of Seth Gunar, 43, and Christopher Coogan, 23, inside the residence just before 1 a.m. Monday. Both had apparent gunshot wounds, he said.

"Police recovered a handgun and spent shell casings and will be conducting a ballistics examination. The medical examiner is expected to perform autopsies late Monday.

"Police Chief Bernard Lombardo confirmed that the incident was a murder/suicide. He stressed that there was no threat to the public and referred all questions to the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office."

Read more at The Record...

UPDATE:

02/06/2014 — Argument over missing guns sparked incident...

Nail Salon Shooter Found Dead In Parking Lot

"WEST NEW YORK, NJ — A man and woman who have three children were both killed last night, the woman shot in the West New York nail salon where she worked and the man found dead in a nearby municipal parking lot, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed.

"Investigators classified the deaths as a murder/suicide.

"The woman was shot in the head at Solo Nails, at Bergenline Avenue and 50th Street, around 5 p.m. and the man, who sources said had a history of domestic violence, was found dead a short time later in the parking lot off Bergenline between 51st and 52nd streets.

"The nail salon’s owner was also pistol-whipped during the attack, Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Gene Rubino said.

"Rubino said the man, 39, called the woman, 36, and arrived at the salon a few minutes later.

"Also in the store were the couple’s 17-year-old son, the owner and two customers, he said.

"The man may have scuffled with the woman and then fired two shots, hitting her in the head, said Rubino. The man then scuffled with the owner before pistol-whipping him and ran out of the store, he said.

"The man’s body was then found in the parking lot with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Rubino."

Read more at nj.com...

Bodies Found In Street, Car

"WOODBRDIGE, NJ — Police are investigating a shooting in which a Brooklyn man apparently shot and killed his former companion, and then killed himself, Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Robert Hubner, director of the Woodbridge Police Department, announced today.

"Stephanie Barrios, 29, of 205 Strawberry Hill Avenue, Woodbridge, was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 18. She apparently was fatally shot while sitting in a car parked outside a house where she was residing.

"Also pronounced dead at the scene was her former companion, Luis Rosado, 46, of Brooklyn, N.Y. He apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"A preliminary investigation has classified the deaths as a murder/suicide, but the final determination awaits the results of autopsies that will be performed by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office. The results were not immediately available.

"The investigation by Detective Dean Janowski of the Woodbridge Police Department and Investigator Gregory Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Rosado shot and killed Barrios before shooting himself. Two handguns were recovered from the scene.

"Police arrived to find Barrios had been shot inside a 2007 Mercedes that was parked in front of the home where she had been living with relatives.

"Rosado, who owned the vehicle, was found in the street near the parked car."

From njtoday.net...

Suicidal Teen Driver Kills Random Motorist, Passenger

"EDISON, NJ — The Edison teenager who crashed his parents' car into another vehicle on Route 27 on Tuesday night, killing him and two other people, was attempting to kill himself and had written a suicide note, law enforcement sources [said].

"The teenager, a 15-year-old student at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, had written a suicide note on his body, according to the sources, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the case.

"A law enforcement source and several classmates who requested anonymity identified the driver as Srijan Saha of Edison. Saha was interested in cars, rap music and art, according to classmates and his personal Facebook page, which says the teen was raised in Detroit, Mich.

"Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan declined to comment. In a statement released late Wednesday night, Acting Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said the crash was being investigated as a `suicide-homicide,` but did not identify the teenage driver.

"Mohammed Zia, 46, and his brother-in-law Ali Behzad, 36, both of Edison, had gone out for a late night cup of coffee and were driving north on Route 27 near the Stony Road intersection when the teen's car struck theirs head-on around 12:30 a.m., authorities said. In his statement, Carey said the teen's vehicle veered into oncoming traffic shortly before the crash.

"The teenager and Behzad were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Carey. Zia died at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital a short time later.

"On Tuesday, Bryan said it was unclear why the teen was driving, but confirmed the 15-year-old had borrowed the vehicle without his parent's permission."

Read more at nj.com...

Gunshot Heard As Police Arrive For Welfare Check

"MAGNOLIA, NJ — A 66-year-old Camden County man killed his wife and then shot himself in the family's Magnolia home on Wednesday night, prosecutors said.

"Henry Yip shot his wife Vicki Yip, 54, and then took his life inside their home on 313 East Washington Avenue around 7 p.m., shortly after the county's 911 dispatch center received a call from a distraught man who claimed to have killed his wife, Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk said in a statement.

"Officers responded to the home after receiving a call from a relative of the Yips, who asked police to check on the family, Faulk said. An officer arrived at the house, and heard a gunshot seconds later.

"Around the same time, a 911 call was made from the Yip residence from a person who claimed to have killed his wife and was planning to kill himself, Faulk said.

"Henry Yip apparently made an `alarming` phone call a relative earlier in the evening, which prompted the initial call to police."

From nj.com...

Couple Found Dead At Scene After Bloody Breakup

"JERSEY CITY, NJ — Police have identified the 18-year-old Jersey City woman they believe was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend who then took his own life with a stab wound to the chest, bringing their stormy relationship to a tragic end, an official said.

"The body of Maria Peralta was found in the kitchen area of a Palisade Avenue apartment this morning and she was pronounced dead at the scene, Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Gene Rubino said this afternoon, adding that she had stab wounds to her head and torso.

"The body of her 27-year-old ex-boyfriend was also found in the kitchen area and he was pronounced dead at the scene as well, Rubino said, adding that he had at least one stab wound to the chest.

"Rubino said the pair had recently broken up and the ex-boyfriend contacted Peralta last night asking her to come to the apartment to pick up her belongings. A friend of the victim dropped her off last night but she later became concerned after not being able to contact Peralta so she went back to the apartment building this morning, Rubino said.

"When the friend peered through a window she saw her friend’s motionless foot on the apartment floor and called police, who forced entry to the apartment just after 9 a.m. and found the bodies, Rubino said."

From nj.com...