Murder In Morris County Suburb: What We Know

CHESTER, NJ — More than a month after a woman was found murdered in her home, Morris County authorities are still looking for answers.

On June 6, police were called to a Chester home on Pottersville Road on reports of a "Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest."

Instead of a cardiac patient, authorities found resident Brooke Hanlon, 35, stabbed to death in her home.

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.

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 Brooke was the wife of James Hanlon, with whom she shared a baby daughter. Additionally, Brooke Hanlon was a marriage and family counselor, according to her LinkedIn profile.

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:

• Morris County Prosecutor's Office: 973-285-6200, prosecutor@co.morris.nj.us
• Chester Police Department: 908-879-5514
• Morris County Sheriff's CRIMESTOPPERS: (973) COP-CALL, 1-800-SHERIFF, or fill out this anonymous online form.