UPDATE: Nutley Man Charged With Murder of 85-Year-Old Belleville Resident

Authorities have charged a Nutley man with the murder of an 85-year-old Belleville resident, following the senior citizen’s death at University Hospital on Sunday.

Police previously arrested Ray Cooley, 25, in connection with the burglary, robbery and kidnapping of William Fitzsimmons at his Cedar Hill Avenue home on Saturday, May 16.

According to NorthJersey.com:

“[Fitzsimmons] told police he heard a knock on his front door Saturday at around 7 p.m., and had gone downstairs to open the door. He was then struck from behind while in his home, and was knocked unconscious. The suspect disabled the victim’s phones, and also bound him with unspecified household materials before eventually cutting the victim’s hands free.”

Fitzsimmons was found in front of his home the following morning, bruised and bloody, and was taken to University Hospital, where he died on his injuries on Sunday, May 31.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the cause of death was “blunt force trauma.”

A medical examiner with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the death a homicide, and an investigation is ongoing.

Cooley admitted that he had shoveled snow at Fitzsimmons’ home in past winters, according to a report.

ARREST RECORD

According to the NJ Courts Public Access database, Cooley pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose during a separate incident in 2013.

He was sentenced to 167 days in jail, three years of probation and 100 hours of community service.