Second Man Charged With Desecrating/Disturbing Human Remains In Hudson County Stabbing

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit has now charged a second man with desecrating/disturbing human remains in connection with the death of 39-year-old Corey McFadden in Kearny Tuesday morning.

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said that on Wednesday, prosecutors charged Matthew Kochell, 32, of Kearny with one count of desecrating/disturbing human remains. He was taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

On Tuesday, Elliot Barton, 39, of Kearny had been charged with the same crime.

That was the day that Kearny police received a 911 call about a person lying on the ground near Belgrove Drive and Afton Street, prosecutors said.

When they responded, they found McFadden, 34, with multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

NJ.com reported Friday that according to a criminal complaint, Kochell and Barton dragged McFadden's body out of his home around 1:30 a.m. and left him across the street.

Neither man has been charged with his death.

The state has filed a Detention Motion for Kochell and codefendant Barton, prosecutors said.

Barton is tentatively scheduled to appear in court this Monday, Kochell on Tuesday.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Kearny Police Department are investigating and believe more arrests will be made.

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.