Man Sentenced For Bludgeoning Woman To Death In Union County

ELIZABETH, NJ — An Elizabeth man was sentenced for the bludgeoning death of Carmen Lopez Barahona, 30, of Elizabeth, announced Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel on Tuesday.

Victor H. Rodriguez Gomez, 34, was sentenced to 25 years in State Prison for first-degree aggravated manslaughter. He must serve at least 85 percent of that sentence before being eligible for parole. Gomez previously pled guilty on July 22.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Sept. 11, 2022, Elizabeth Police went to the 200 block of Lt. Glenn Zamorski Drive and found Barahona, who had sustained fatal injuries as a result of blunt force trauma to her head, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Jillian Reyes, who prosecuted the case.

The investigation found that after the murder Gomez fled the scene. His vehicle was later found by the Perth Amboy Police Department. He was apprehended and transferred into the custody of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office without incident.

"We are grateful for the hard work of Assistant Prosecutor Jillian Reyes, Homicide Task Force Detective Kenneth Luongo and Sergeant Filipe Afonso, and Elizabeth Police Detective James Szpond," said Daniel. "The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, together with law enforcement agencies throughout Union County, are committed to ensuring that those who commit such egregious acts are held accountable. Our thoughts remain with the Ms. Lopez Barahona’s family and friends during this time."

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