CHESTER, NJ — Family, friends, and members of the community are remembering Brooke Alexandra (Haggerty) Hanlon, the 35-year-old mother who was found stabbed to death in her Chester home earlier this summer.
More than two months after Hanlon died, her obituary has been published. It says she is remembered for her "extraordinary kindness, friendship, loyalty, empathy, compassion, humility, and generosity."
Born in New York City, Hanlon and her family moved to Mendham in 1994, when she was a girl. They eventually moved again to Chester.
Hanlon went on to earn several degrees in Psychology "with the goal of helping young children, teens, and adults living with mental health and family relationship challenges."
She used her skills to help people not just in town, but across the world. According to her obituary, Hanlon provided services to underprivileged children in India, tutored a Spanish child during a study abroad in Spain, raised money to build schools in Uganda, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, "among other selfless commitments."
She would later work as a child and family therapist in Boston, where she'd meet her future husband, James (Conor) Hanlon.
In September 2023, Hanlon and her husband moved back to Chester, where she would work as a licensed mental health counselor for LifeStance Health in Bernardsville.
In July 2025, the couple welcomed their daughter, Avery.
"She loved her work, was a truly talented and dedicated therapist, and had tremendous compassion for all those she counseled," Hanlon's obituary reads. "Brooke was a truly beautiful soul... Everyone who has ever interacted with her will always remember Brooke's bright and beautiful smile."
Those looking to make a donation in Hanlon's memory can do so by donating to Shriners Hospitals for Children or the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
No service details were announced in the obituary.
While the community mourns Hanlon, it is also asking questions about what happened to her.
Background
More than two months after Hanlon was found stabbed to death in her Chester home on Pottersville Road, authorities and residents are still looking for answers.
An autopsy conducted by the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death was multiple sharp force injuries. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
The medical examiner's full report was not yet complete as of Wednesday, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities were slow to release the identity of the victim, waiting more than three weeks to provide her name. Even now, details on the slaying, including potential suspects and a murder weapon, are scarce, despite Patch's several inquiries to law enforcement.
No arrests have been announced at this time.
What is known is that Hanlon's wife, James, was the one who called 911 to report her death.
Related — 'There's Blood Everywhere': Husband's 911 Call After Finding NJ Woman's Bloody Body Released
According to Fox News Digital, James Hanlon has been in communication with Morris County authorities and has obtained an attorney.
Brooke's family has spoken out to several outlets, including her sister, Paige Haggerty, who told Fox that Brooke was the "sweetest, purest person that I have ever known in my entire life."
"Everything that I know, I have learned from her," Haggerty added. "I've never lived without her. She taught me everything."
"She was remarkable in every way. She was also very, very good at her job," Hanlon's father, Joseph Haggerty, told the Daily Mail. "She was a child therapist and really helped people."
"Our community was saddened to learn of Saturday's incident," Chester Mayor Tim Drag said days after the slaying. "Our thoughts are with the victim's family, friends, and all those affected by this tragedy."
Reward For Information
With no leads announced and details remaining scarce, the Chester Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office are turning to the public for help.
Law enforcement is seeking "the public's assistance with providing any information concerning the death of Brooke Hanlon or suspicious activity observed in the area of Pottersville Road."
The sheriff's office is offering a $1,000 award for information that could lead to an arrest.
Anyone with information that could help officials investigate Hanlon's death can contact the following:
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