Brick Woman Sought In Killing Of Her Wife: Prosecutor

BRICK, NJ — A Brick Township woman is being sought in connection with the killing of her wife in the home they shared, authorities said Tuesday.

Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus, 48, has been charged with murder in the death of Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus, 32, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief James Riccio said in a joint news release.

Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus was found dead on Sunday. Police were called to a Creek Road home about noon and found her lifeless body in an upstairs bedroom, authorities said. An autopsy was performed Monday and the Ocean County medical examiner determined the manner of her death to be a homicide, the prosecutor's office said.

Investigators found Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus had injuries consistent with a cylinder, and found she had been killed with a cylindrical container used for chilling wine, the prosecutor's office said. Further investigation ultimately determined Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus caused Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus's death.

A warrant for the arrest of Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus has been issued. In addition to murder, she is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the proscutor's office said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit conducted the investigation at the scene.

Billhimer and Riccio also acknowledged the prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshal's Service for their assistance in the investigation.

"Great teamwork by all of the respective law enforcement agencies and officers involved in this investigation," Billhimer said. "Our focus now is to find Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus and bring her into custody."

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus should contact Detective Ken Steinberg of the Brick Township Police Department at 732-262-1113 or Detective John Carroll of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 732-929-4760, ext. 3964.

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