Monroe Township Man Killed Stepfather, Fatally Struck Him in Head With Weapon, Police Said

MONROE TOWNSHIP, NJ - A Monroe Township man has been arrested and charged with killing his stepfather earlier this week. Joao C. Torres, 26, was charged with the murder of Christopher Ernst Sr., 46, who was found dead Wednesday in a garage room of a home they shared on Garvey Drive in Monroe Township.

Monroe police and the Middlesex County prosecutor announced the murder Thursday. Police began the investigation when they received a call Wednesday, Jan. 4, from an individual who was concerned when Torres failed to report for work. Police went to the home on Garvey Drive, and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. They then began a search for Torres, who had fled.

The stepfather died of chopping wounds to his head, an autopsy by the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office revealed. During the investigation it was determined that Torres struck his stepfather in the head with an unidentified weapon.

Torres was arrested after police found him in a wooded area several miles from the home. He was also charged with obstruction and resisting arrest for fleeing after killing his father.

Torres is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center in North Brunswick.

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Silvestri of the Monroe Township Police Department at (732) 521-0222, extension 151, or Detective Marchak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3254.

Photo credit Monroe Township police