Friends Mourn Sotheby's Agent Allegedly Killed By Stepson In Cresskill

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Irma Daniels, a Russian immigrant married to a prominent North Jersey attorney, was climbing the rungs as a real estate agent in North Jersey for several years until her stepson allegedly ended her life last Wednesday evening.

Around 6:46 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, police were called to the family's townhome at 151 Stonegate Trail, on a report that a woman had been beaten, prosecutors said.

Irma Daniels, 48, was found deceased.

The next day, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office charged John A. Daniels Jr., 30, with murder and weapons offenses in connection with her death.

Prosecutors alleged that he had beaten her with a baseball bat and then fled. She was married to Daniels' father, according to a past obituary. The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office later confirmed that she was his stepmother.

Besides a charge of first-degree murder, John Daniels Jr. was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, hindering apprehension by suppression, hindering apprehension by providing false information, and unlawful possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.

Daniels was taken to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

Social media posts and comments show that Daniels was a successful agent at Sotheby's who had been recognized for achievements at work.

"After 7 years in real estate industry I finally received this distinguished award 'CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE' from NJ Board of Realtors for my accomplishments in real estate in 2022," she wrote on Facebook in spring. "Looking back to the beginning of this new journey for me I will never forget how hard it was the first two years with no deals, no clients, no guidance or support from the company where I started. I was ready to give up. It was a long way to get where I am now ... I am not a quitter."

In her most recent Facebook post, hours before her death, she wrote of her homeland and posted photos.

"Going back to my roots," she wrote. "My beautiful motherland with breathtaking Caucasian Mountains, ancient culture, heartbreaking history and graceful and noble people. Proud of being Circassian."

"Rest in peace, our sister," wrote a commenter days later.

"My dearest friend is gone, sweetest lady that graced our earth," wrote another.

Details of services have not yet been announced, but Barrett Leber Funeral Home is in charge.

Bergen County has suffered several domestic violence deaths of women this year. A local advocacy group has urged people in danger to reach out before an emergency happens. Learn more about that in this story.