Mercer Man Charged With Murder In Death Of 71-Year-Old Woman: Prosecutor

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A 24-year-old Hamilton Township man was charged with murder and other offenses in the death of 71-year-old Elaine Murray, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo said Friday.

Denzel Whitmore, 24, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree burglary and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence.

He was taken into custody without incident Thursday afternoon in Hamilton Township, Onofri said. The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain Whitmore pending trial.

On Wednesday evening just after 8 p.m., West Windsor police responded to a residence on Galston Drive after neighbors went to conduct a well-being check on Murray who lived alone and noticed evidence of a break-in, Onofri said. More: 71-Year-Old Found Dead In Mercer After Suspected Home Break-In: Cops

Officers entered the residence and found Murray, 71, lying dead on the floor of a second-floor bedroom.

She appeared to have visible signs of injuries to her face and she was bleeding from the back of her head, Onofri said.

Onofri and Chief Garofalo thanked to the New Jersey State Police, the Hamilton Police Division and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland) for their assistance in the investigation.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jacob Schor at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997. Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

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