Crime & Safety
Juvenile Charged In Threats Made At Virtual Memorial Of South Brunswick Teen
After 18 months police have charged a juvenile with making terroristic threats and other offenses during a virtual service for Emily Murillo
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — A juvenile from North Jersey faces numerous charges after zoom bombing the virtual memorial service of Emily Murillo who died in January 2021, South Brunswick police said.
The juvenile faces a 2nd degree charge of terroristic threats, a 3rd degree charge of false public alarm, and a 4th degree charge of cyber harassment. The charges were elevated because the threat was made during the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, South Brunswick police said.
On Jan. 29, Murillo's car plunged into the Delaware & Raritan Canal near Suydam Road, Franklin Park. During a virtual memorial service held in February, an unknown person entered the Zoom meeting and threatened to blow up the funeral home and make the casket turn to ashes, police said.
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“It was unspeakable to us that while family and friends were mourning the loss of this young girl, someone would look to threaten them,” said Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.
Hayducka said the case required numerous court orders, interaction with various social media platforms, and partnering with state and federal law enforcement. “I told all the officers involved that we will never stop until we track down every lead. It took almost 18 months, but we got him,” Hayducka said.
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A special education student, Murillo was bullied in school, her mother Erin Popolo told Patch. Her death in a car crash in Franklin Park was ruled a suicide. More: Mom Takes Child's Ashes On Stage To Get NJ High School Diploma
"She suffered and was marginalized. Even in death, she could not escape her tormentors who harassed her memory in the most despicable and deplorable of ways during her funeral," Popolo said. More: After Losing Child To Bullying, NJ Mom To Contest BOE Elections
South Brunswick Police thanked the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, and law enforcement agencies in Connecticut and North Jersey for their assistance in the investigation.
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