Crime & Safety

Maplewood Grandmother’s Killer Still At-Large, Cops Double Reward

Deborah Burton, a grandmother from Maplewood, was shot in Newark last year. Police are offering $20K in a bid to catch her killer.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Authorities in Essex County are offering a reward up to $20,000 in a bid to capture the person or persons who fatally shot a 62-year-old grandmother from Maplewood in Newark in March 2017.

On Tuesday, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office announced that its Crime Stoppers program was increasing a reward from $10,000 to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Deborah Burton, a 62-year-old grandmother from Maplewood.

Burton was fatally shot in Newark on March 13 in the area of 43 Third Street around 1:15 p.m. after she dropped a family member off at work. She was taken to University Hospital and pronounced dead at 2:31 p.m., authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Her car – a 2002 four-door, gray Chevy Cruz – was recovered at 65-67 North 7th Street the next day, authorities previously said.

In August of 2017, authorities stated that a pair of women were captured on video surveillance and were believed to be carrying Burton's Coach pocketbook.

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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