NJ Mom Died In House Collapse As She Lived: Protecting Her Kids

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Tika Justice’s world revolved around her daughters. So there was a certain poetry to the way she died. Justice died while shielding her 16-year-old daughter when their house collapsed in Hamilton Township Monday morning.

Justice, who was 38, saved her daughter’s life. Her other daughter, who is 20, also survived the collapse. Both were hospitalized in serious but stable condition.

Justice’s heroism came as no surprise to her former employer.

“She always protected her kids, and she always talked about how important they were. I would have expected no less from her,” John Pavlovsky told The Trentonian.

Justice worked for Pavlovsky as a receptionist at his firm for about a year. He told the newspaper she always talked about her kids at work. Her life revolved around her daughters after her husband died.

In the aftermath of her death, her classmates’ thoughts were with her family. She was a member of Hightstown Regional High School’s Class of 1998, which is set to celebrate its 20-year reunion.

“It is with great sadness that we share with you the recent news of our beloved classmate, Tika Justice, died today while shielding her daughter when her house collapsed,” a post on the class’s Facebook page read. “She will be truly missed and honored for her sacrifice as a loving mother.”

“Prayers to her family and friends. May they find peace at this time with wonderful memories of her,” one classmate wrote. This was echoed by others, who commented on the tragedy. One person wrote how important class reunions are.

“I’d encourage you and your classmates to take your reunion seriously, none of us are promised tomorrow and social media will never take the place of getting together and being present in the same space as your classmates,” he wrote. “These are the people who helped shape the person you are today, it’s time for you to be present for each other, you might not have another chance to do so!”

Justice had a brother, Brushaun. A fundraiser was launched to help Justice’s family, including her brother, who will now be out of work while helping his displaced nieces, according to the Fundraiser for the Family of Tika gofundme page.

He described his sister as the type of person who would "save her kid before she saves herself,” according to People.

The cause of the collapse remains under investigation, but police don’t believe any foul play was involved. Officials told nj.com they responded to the same house, which was a rental unit, 14 years ago for a popping sound. However, there was no reason at that time to believe the house was structurally unsound.

The State Department of Community Affairs has said it will monitor the investigation and help to identify the cause of the collapse.

See related: Mother Killed, 2 Daughters Hurt After House Collapses In Mercer

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