Woman Convicted Of Mother's Murder In Burlington County

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ — A woman was found guilty Friday of murdering her mother — several years after she stabbed the victim in their Mount Laurel apartment, officials said.

Marisa Rivera, 27, was convicted of first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree possession of a weapon.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 8.

Police discovered the body of Rivera's mother — Denise DeNapoli — in the home they shared Sept. 6, 2019, at the Ramblewood Village Apartments, authorities said. DeNapoli was scheduled to work from home that day, but officers conducted a wellness check after her colleagues never heard from her, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office (BCPO).

The investigation revealed that Rivera killed the victim at about 3:30 a.m. that morning and fled the apartment, the BCPO said. She was found several hours later and arrested at a Route 73 hotel.

An autopsy determined that DeNapoli, 56, died from multiple stab wounds. Rivera and her mother had a "steadily deteriorating" relationship, according to testimony presented last year at the trial.

Judge Terrence R. Cook conducted a bench trial at Rivera's request and handed down the ruling.