Hopewell Township Man Killed Woman In His Home: Police

HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Hopewell Township woman that took place last month, authorities announced on Monday. Brian Sheppard, 53, of Hopewell Township, has been charged in connection with the April 25 murder of Laura Perez, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Hopewell Township Police Chief Lance Maloney announced. Sheppard is charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Perez was found in a home on Washington Crossing-Pennington Road in Hopewell Township just after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25. Police responded to the home after receiving a call from the homeowner.

The homeowner had called to report that his car had been stolen, authorities said on Monday. He told police he had returned home from work that day and found it missing. He said Sheppard, who was his roommate, wasn’t home, and he couldn’t get in touch with him.

Officers entered Sheppard’s bedroom and found the deceased woman, later identified as the 37-year-old Perez, of Trenton. Perez had suffered significant blunt force trauma to the head.

Police believe Sheppard brought the victim to the house prior to her death. After her death, he fled the scene in the black Chevrolet Silverado. Alerts were broadcast for Sheppard and the stolen vehicle.

Two days later, the stolen car was found in Hamilton Township. Hamilton Township Police said they saw Sheppard driving the car. When officers attempted to pull Sheppard over, he refused to stop and a chase ensued, according to authorities.

The chase went through Hamilton Township into Lawrence Township and West Windsor. Due to the high speeds and the dangerous manner in which Sheppard was driving, police decided to give up the pursuit.

Sheppard was arrested on April 28 and subsequently charged with eluding and theft by receiving stolen property. He is currently being held at the Mercer County Correction Center.

The case remains under investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force. Anyone with information is asked to contact Trenton Police Detective Scott Peterson of the task force at 609-989-6406.

The state has filed a motion for a pretrial detention hearing, but that motion has not yet been heard.

The attached image of Brian Sheppard was provided by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office