South Toms River Man Accused In Wife's Killing Agrees To Stay In Jail

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A South Toms River man has agreed to be held in jail pending court proceedings in the killing of his wife, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday.

Gustavo Juarez-Perez, 38, of South Toms River, consented before Superior Court Judge David M. FritchTuesday to remain detained, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

He is being held on charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, in the death of his wife, Cheyanne Juarez, 30, on March 8, in her home in South Toms River.

Juarez-Perez was arrested March 8 after police responded to his 911 call reporting Cheyanne Juarez was dead and that he had killed her, according to the probable cause affidavit.

His daughter and the couple's three sons hid in another bedroom during the incident, which began with an argument, she told authorities. The argument escalated to screaming and yelling, with Cheyanne Juarez saying, "it hurts" in Spanish, she said.

Juarez-Perez told a 911 dispatcher that he had hit his wife and choked her. Police found Cheyanne Juarez unresponsive on the bedroom floor with blood on her face and a belt around her neck, authorities said.

In addition to being held in the Ocean County Jail on the murder charge, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on Juarez-Perez, according to jail records.

Previous reporting:

• Wife Found With Belt Around Neck, Ocean County Man Charged With Murder: Prosecutor
• Hardworking, Funny, Loving Mom: South Toms River Woman Mourned By Friends, Co-Workers
• 'I Killed My Wife': South Toms River Man Told Dispatcher He 'Lost Control', Affidavit Says