Rt. 18 Colts Neck Murder Still Unsolved, One Year Later

COLTS NECK, NJ — It is now nearly one year later, and the murder of a man who was found shot dead in his car on Rt. 18 in Colts Neck last April still remains unsolved.

On April 29, 2018, Colts Neck police department fielded a 911 call for help on Rt. 18, south of Rt. 537. Once on scene they located a single motor vehicle crash involving a 2009 Mercedes Benz C350.

The investigation revealed the driver Earl Sanders, 54, of Neptune City, and a male passenger were driving southbound on Rt. 18. That's when an unknown person or persons pulled next to Sanders’ Mercedes and fired numerous shots, striking Sanders several times. Sanders lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail near the Rt. 537 exit. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His 52-year-old male passenger was transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The two were traveling home from a birthday party at the Elks Club in Freehold earlier that evening.

Sanders is also known as “Everlasting.”

If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Detective Ryan Mahony 1-800-533-7443 or Colts Neck Police Department Detective Rich Zarrillo 732-780-7323.Individuals who feel the need to remain anonymous, but who may have information relevant to this investigation can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text "MONMOUTH" plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at

www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest or conviction of criminals and fugitives.