At Least 5 Children, 17 Women, 2 Men Killed By Domestic Violence in NJ So Far In 2023

NEW JERSEY — As National Domestic Violence Awareness Month comes to an end, one agency that provides shelter and support for North Jersey families has released sobering statistics: More than 90 percent of homicides in Bergen County are related to domestic violence. And a more comprehensive roundup of news stories about domestic violence killings around New Jersey in 2023 shows that already this year, at least 17 women, five kids, two men, and one pet were killed in acts of domestic violence.

The center for Hope and Safety, based in Bergen County, reminded readers earlier this year that even if someone is not ready to leave yet, they can still call their local domestic violence agency or make a plan for the future, or to seek resources.

The cases reported in the first 10 months of this year span all socioeconomic and ethnic groups.

There are also cases in which the relationship between the killer and victim was not immediately known or released to the press. One example is this October 2023 case in Sussex County, in which a 59-year-old Green Township woman was killed by a man, 25. Days later, after most news outlets stopped covering the story, one news source reported that the woman, Karen Novato-Selimi, had been stabbed by her adult son and later died.

In another example, Shanelle Stewart, 25, was shot to death in Vineland in September. Authorities did not release details on the motive or relationship. However, a lone local website said the perpetrator and victim had children together. And an online fundraiser posted by the woman's cousin says, "This tragedy has left her parents speechless and worrisome due to her untimely passing because of domestic violence. She left her abuser to start a new life and now she is no longer with us."

Here is a rundown of the cases in the first 10 months of the year:

NJ Domestic Violence Deaths Reported So Far In 2023

The first four intimate partner deaths were in Hudson County in January and February — including the separate deaths of two Jersey City teachers killed by a male partner. Also, a woman was stabbed to death in West New York in what prosecutors said was an act of domestic violence, and a mother was killed in Harrison in mid-January 2023, allegedly by her adult son.

Also:

On Sunday, Feb. 12, mother-of-two Stephanie Vil was shot to death in Trenton. The man charged with murder was the father of her 3-month-old daughter, the police complaint says.

On Sunday, Feb. 19, a family including two teenagers was killed in Linden in what authorities said was a murder-suicide committed by the father. The mother, Justyna Nieroda, and two children, Sebastian, 14, and daughter Natalia, 13, were killed.

On Feb. 28, Kyle Foggy died at a New Jersey rest stop, days after he was charged with the murder of a Lawnside woman, according to officials. NJ.com reported that court documents detailed a history of domestic violence between the two.

On March 7, preschool teacher Kellie Ventricelli and her teenage son Anthony, 15, were killed in Roxbury by the father, authorities said. He then took his own life. Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll said, "This is a tragic murder-suicide brought on by domestic violence."

That brought the total to seven New Jersey women and three children killed by domestic violence in New Jersey in the first three months of 2023.

On Mother's Day, May 14, a mom of two young kids from Lindenwold, in Camden County, was reported missing after visiting her mother in Jersey City. Her estranged boyfriend was later charged with killing Norelis Mendoza, 33.

On June 26, Kyle Wilson was found fatally shot in Camden. Days later, his ex-girlfriend, Shanika Gideon, was charged with murder, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said.

On July 10, Isaiah Cobb, 33, of Hillside, was found dead. Then, Terrance Carroll, 51, died at University Hospital in Newark. Reports said Carroll had killed Cobb for allegedly dating his wife. Carroll also assaulted his wife, but she survived, police said.

On July 15, two people were found shot to death in Hackensack nursing home. Reports said they were married, and the deaths were believed to be a murder suicide.

On July 29, mother of two Kimberly Hoffman, 49, of Little Egg Harbor, was killed by her ex-husband, Carl Schulz, Jr., who then took his own life, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. He also killed her dog.

On Aug. 11, Michael Manis, 71, of Hasbrouck Heights smothered his wife then staged a robbery in order to cover it up, Bergen County prosecutors said.

On Aug. 16, Irma Daniels, a Russian immigrant married to a prominent North Jersey attorney, was found beaten to death in her townhouse in Cresskill. Police alleged that her adult stepson assaulted her with a baseball bat. He was charged with first-degree murder.

In September, police in Maryland found a Sicklerville, NJ woman's body near the floor of a Sicklerville man's truck. The two had "had a dating relationship," authorities said. This death apparently occurred in Maryland and is not counted in the total for New Jersey.

On Oct. 4, Plainsboro Police found Tej Pratap Singh, 43, Sonal Parihar, 42, along with their 6-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy, dead in Plainsboro, in a reported murder-suicide.

On Oct. 7, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Marina Perez, 56,and Giovanni "John" Emmolo, 80, were found dead during a welfare check. Reports said they had had a relationship before that.

On Oct. 26, Kevin Dorsey, 51, shot and killed his live-in girlfriend, Charlena Burnett, 44, in their house in Little Egg Harbor, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Besides the intimate partner deaths so far this year, there have been hundreds of police calls about domestic violence. According to statistics recently released for the town of Bridgewater alone, for instance, there have been 83 domestic violence calls to police so far this year.

How To Get Help

Julie Myner of the Center for Hope and Safety in Bergen County noted that people may be afraid to leave because of risks to children or pets if they try, or numerous other reasons. "We can give them the tools to keep themselves safe and tools to begin exit planning in case of violence," she told Patch this year.

The group recently partnered with a local company, LG&P, to hold a "United Against DV" event to help raise awareness, and also held a vigil for victims.

A spokesperson for the group said, "Bergen County is reporting record high numbers of domestic abuse. Center for Hope and Safety’s 24/7 hotline received 80 percent more calls in 2022 than the year prior, along with a 108 percent increase in the number of adults and children sheltered.

"Center for Hope & Safety offers a full spectrum of free services designed to address and support emotional, physical and financial healing for domestic violence victims and survivors, including legal counsel, employment support services, and therapeutic programs for children." Find out more about them here.

Where To Get Help

The national domestic violence hotline, reachable through phone, text, or chat, is 800-799-SAFE (7233), or you can text "Start" to 88788 to reach them by text.

The New Jersey hotline is 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). The list of county agencies is here, and other information on how to protect oneself legally in New Jersey is here.

In an emergency, call 911 or emergency responders.

An advocacy group in Essex County is seeking volunteers for its court advocacy program, to assist and support victims. READ MORE: Essex County Volunteers Needed For Domestic Violence Court Program.

Update

UPDATE: In the five days since this story was published, three more women and one man in New Jersey were killed in what prosecutors said were acts of domestic violence. See the stories here, here, and here.