Hopewell Township, N.J. – The New Jersey State Police have charged Miguel Perez, 21, of Bridgeton, N.J. with murder in connection to the missing person investigation of Jonathan Morris 2nd, 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., whose remains were discovered on January 31, in Hopewell Township, Cumberland County.
Miguel Perez has been charged with murder, weapons offenses, desecration of human remains, evidence tampering, hindering, obstruction, escape, and receiving stolen property. He has been lodged at the Cumberland County Jail. The State will move for pretrial detention.
On January 28, detectives from Troop “A” Bridgeton Station began investigating the disappearance of Morris after troopers discovered his vehicle abandoned on Archie Platt Road in Hopewell Township. During the investigation, detectives determined that his disappearance was suspicious in nature.
On January 31, detectives from the Major Crimes South Unit and Missing Persons and Human Trafficking Unit obtained information that identified Perez as a suspect in the investigation. Detectives located Perez at his residence and arrested him. A short time later, detectives discovered Morris’ remains covered in snow approximately 15 feet from the roadway on Archie Platt Road.
It is alleged that on January 28, Perez allegedly shot and killed Morris in his vehicle in the City of Bridgeton. After killing Morris, Perez drove to Archie Platt Road, where he discarded the body and abandoned the vehicle. He later traveled to a residence on Cottage Avenue, where he attempted to dispose of evidence.
The Bridgeton Police Department assisted with the investigation and the case is being prosecuted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office.