Victim ID'd, New Details After Body Found In N.J. Trash Can

More details emerged as a New Jersey man was charged with murder Saturday after a body was discovered in a trash can.

The victim, identified as Ricky L. Ward, 52, of the 400 block of Delta Avenue, Atlantic City, was pronounced dead by medical personnel at the scene, according to Acting Atlantic CountyProsecutor Diane Ruberton. The man was stoned to death.

An investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department led to the arrest of Thomas Green, 64, of the 1300 block of Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, according to a press release.

Atlantic City Police responded on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8:43 a.m., to the 1200 block of Adriatic Avenue in Atlantic City on a report that a dead man’s body had been discovered in a trashcan.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene, and Green was arrested at at approximately 5:15 p.m.

He was subsequently charged with murder, for purposely and knowingly causing the death of the victim “by hitting him in the head multiple times with stones,” and with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (stones), and unlawful possession of a weapon (stones).

Green was processed for the arrest and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on

$1,000,000 full cash bail set by Superior Court Judge John C. Porto. A conviction for murder carries a potential sentence of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison for a period of 30 years to life. .

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police
Department continue the investigation.

Investigators were shown on video searching through the garbage cans soon after the body was discovered around 10 a.m, according to breakingAC.com.

Investigators closed George's Grill in Atlantic City near the site where the body was found. Detectives also put up sheets to prevent people from watching when the body was removed.

The unidentified man was found dead the 1200 block of Adriatic Avenue, according to NBCPhiladelphia.com.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office was expected to release further information, according to nj.com.

We'll have more information when it becomes available.

Photo: YouTube/breakingAC