Man Accused Of Killing Burlington County Woman Had Violent Outburst Days Before: Police

Editor's note: This article contains details of violence that some readers may find disturbing. People who may be facing domestic violence can view their county's resources, call the New Jersey hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233), or contact the national domestic-violence hotline. For emergencies, call 911.

TRENTON, NJ — A man accused of killing a Burlington County woman had a violent outburst in front of her only days before the fatal shooting, kicking her house's door down after she locked him out, according to court documents.

Jamar Leonard was charged with murder and weapons offenses after authorities saw Stephanie Vil's body on the street Feb. 12 in Trenton, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office said.

The county agency hasn't publicly announced a motive for the killing of Vil, 34, of Burlington. But law enforcement said Leonard is the father of Vil's child. Six New Jersey women, including Vil, have been killed by partners or family members so far this year, according to Patch's tally of reports from law enforcement.

The pair had a fight at Vil's house only three days before the slaying, a person who knew Vil told detectives. The individual — identified in the affidavit as A.B. — told police that Vil kicked Leonard out of the house and locked him out, court documents state. Leonard, 38, then kicked down her house's door, A.B. told law enforcement.

The night before the slaying, Vil called A.B. and said Leonard hadn't come home and that she had to go out to look for him, the affidavit states. Vil — remembered by loved ones as a "phenomenal" mother to her two children — planned to kick Leonard out of the house, A.B. told police.

Vil contacted A.B. via FaceTime at 9 a.m. Feb. 12. She showed Leonard's vehicle to A.B. on the video call and said, "Look at his car," according to court documents. Surveillance footage showed Vil walking toward the passenger side of the vehicle, police said. She appeared to be in an "animated state" while interacting with someone inside the 2005 Chrysler 300, according to the affidavit.

Vil was still on the FaceTime call. The woman dropped her phone, and A.B. heard a muffled sound and running water, according to the formal statement to police. While Vil's phone was on the ground, the individual eventually saw the Burlington resident bleed from her ear, the affidavit says.

Leonard called A.B. at 9:20 a.m. that day, when he repeatedly said, "They shot her," the individual told detectives.

Authorities believe Leonard shot Vil at about 9:05 a.m. Feb. 12. Although the surveillance video cut off before then, that's when they heard a gunshot from the footage.

Trenton paramedics rendered medical aid. But medical personnel pronounced her dead at 9:19 a.m. at Capital Health Regional Medical Center's Fuld Campus.

Leonard was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain persons not to possess a weapon. The prosecutor's office filed a motion to detain him pre-trial.

One of Vil's family members set up a GoFundMe page to support the Burlington resident's children. View the online-fundraising page here.