Hardworking, Funny, Loving Mom: South Toms River Woman Mourned By Friends, Co-Workers

SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — Cheyanne Juarez was funny and hardworking, the kind of person who helped everyone around her.

That's how friends and co-workers are remembering the 30-year-old mother who was killed Saturday in her South Toms River home. Her husband, Gustavo Juarez-Perez, 38, has been charged with murder in her death, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

"Cheyanne was one of the kindest, most caring, hardworking, and funniest women we had the privilege of knowing and loving," her friend, Rosaura Roustand, wrote on a GoFundMe campaign she created to raise funds for Juarez's sons, who range in age from 3 years old to 12. She also had a stepdaughter who's 14.

"(Cheyanne) dedicated her life to helping others as an employee at our local hospital, always putting her coworkers before herself. Above all, she worked tirelessly to provide for her children and give them the best life possible."

Juarez worked at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford Township, her co-workers said. It was not clear how long she had worked there or in what capacity.

"Such a beautiful soul," one co-worker wrote on the GoFundMe. "ALWAYS went out of her way to help others ... what a huge help to the SOMC ER department. I am so sorry Cheyanne."

"She was not just a friend she also was a sister, amazing mother, hardworking, caring person, and for her community she was the most sweet soul that you could ever meet," a friend wrote on Facebook. "You will always be in our hearts."

The campaign had raised just shy of $7,000 as of Thursday evening, with the goal of assisting the children and covering other necessary expenses.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so here.

"Thank you for your kindness, support, and prayers during this heartbreaking time," Roustand wrote.

Juarez-Perez remains in the Ocean County Jail on charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer also is in place, according to the Ocean County Corrections website.

Police responding to a 911 call on Saturday night found Cheyanne Juarez unresponsive on the floor, with blood on her face and a belt around her neck, the prosecutor's office said. Attempts to resuscitate her failed, and she was pronounced dead at the scene, and Gustavo Juarez-Perez was arrested. Read more: Wife Found With Belt Around Neck, Ocean County Man Charged With Murder: Prosecutor

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify that Cheyanne Juarez had three children and a stepdaughter, based on updated information from authorities.