SOUTH TOMS RIVER, NJ — A 38-year-old man has been indicted by a grand jury on murder and weapons charges in connection with the death of his wife earlier this year, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Gustavo Juarez-Perez faces charges of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon in the March 8 death of 30-year-old Cheyanne Juarez at their home on Hummel Drive.
Police were called to the residence around 9:15 p.m. for a report of an unconscious woman. Responding officers found Cheyanne Juarez unresponsive with visible injuries and a belt around her neck. Life-saving measures were attempted but were unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, South Toms River Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Juarez-Perez was identified as the suspect and arrested without incident at the scene. He has remained in custody at the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.
Prosecutors credited the efforts of investigators and Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke for presenting the case to the grand jury.