Man Charged With Murder Of Mom Found Dead Near Jersey City/Bayonne Border

Editor's note: People who may be facing domestic violence can view their county's resources, call the New Jersey hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233), or contact the national domestic-violence hotline. For emergencies, call 911.

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A Jersey City man has been charged with murder in the death of a mom of two toddlers who was reported missing on Mother's Day.

Prosecutors said the death of Norelis Mendoza, 33, was an act of domestic violence, and reports say the arrested man was the mom's ex-boyfriend.

READ MORE: GoFundMe Launched For Mom Found Dead Near Jersey City Border

READ MORE: 4 Women Killed In Domestic Violence Incidents In Hudson County This Year

The Hudson County Prosecutor's office said that on Friday, members of the Homicide Unit charged Gregory Mallard, 35, with the death of Mendoza, who was found Wednesday by the side of Route 440 near the Bayonne/Jersey City border.

She had been reported missing on Sunday after being last seen Saturday night leaving her mother's house in downtown Jersey City.

Mallard has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, failing to dispose of human remains in a manner prescribed by law, desecration of human remains, hindering, and tampering with physical evidence.

"This matter is being investigated as an act of domestic violence," the prosecutor's office noted.

'The Person She Was With During Her Last Hours'

A GoFundMe for Mendoza, called "Fly High Beautiful Angel," said, "She was not just a picture of a missing person but she was a real person. A mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend. On Tuesday, May 16th they were able to get a break in her case to find camera footage of where she was during the time of telling her mother bye for the last time and also the person she was with during her last hours and minutes."

This is the fifth domestic violence killing of a woman in Hudson County in as many months. The others are:

• Luz Hernandez, a Jersey City teacher and mom of three
• Temara King, a Jersey City teacher allegedly killed in front of her teenage daughter
• Daniela Garcia-Murillo, West New York, stabbed to death
• Rosa Massoni, of Harrison; her adult son was charged.

NJ.com reported Friday that Mallard is the father of Mendoza's two children, ages 1 and 3. The story also said that he was released from prison in June 2020, after serving 11 years on an aggravated manslaughter charge, and is "a reputed member of the 52 Hoover Street Crips gang."

Her Mother Lives In Jersey City

On Sunday, May 14, 2023, the Jersey City Police Department received a missing person report for Mendoza, who lives in Lindenwold, in Camden County.

Authorities found her body on Wednesday off of Route 440 in Bayonne, near the Jersey City border.

"This investigation is active and ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time," prosecutors said.

Prosecutor Esther Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit, Jersey City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Bayonne Police Department, and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies with the investigation and arrest. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip at: https://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/. All information will be kept confidential. The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).