3 Covered Up Murder Of Hospital Worker Beaten, Left In Trunk: Passaic Co. Prosecutor

PATERSON, NJ — Three people were charged for their roles in the murder of a Paterson woman who was fatally beaten and placed in a trunk, according to the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office. Ali Gibson, Ali H. Fisher and Clo Fisher disposed of Stephanie DeJesus's body and participated in the cover-up for the killing, authorities said Thursday.

Police found DeJesus dead in a trunk Feb. 25 in Paterson, according to the prosecutor's office. DeJesus, 38, worked as a cardiovascular technician at Saint Michael's Medical Center in Newark, according to her obituary.

Five people face charges for their roles in the murder of DeJesus, authorities said. Justin Fisher and Joelle Martucci were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder — both first-degree charges. Paterson police arrested Martucci on Feb. 28, and Fisher surrendered to authorities March 2.

Gibson was initially charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. But further investigation prompted the prosecutor's office to dismiss those charges.

Gibson, Ali S. Fisher and Clo Fisher were charged with desecration of human remains (second-degree), hindering prosecution (third-degree), tampering with evidence (fourth-degree) and obstructing law (fourth-degree). Officials detained all three in the Passaic County Jail.

Paterson police went to James Street and Ryerson Street just before 8 a.m. Feb. 25 for a suspicious vehicle, the prosecutor's office said. That's where officers found DeJesus's body in the trunk, according to authorities.

Officials initially thought she was fatally shot. But after an autopsy, the medical examiner determined she died from blunt force trauma.

Anyone with additional information on the case can contact the prosecutor's office's tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the Paterson Police Detective Bureau at 973-321-1120.

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