Second suspect extradited from colombia in 2023 killing of new jersey teacher

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Leiner Miranda Lopez, the second suspect in the 2023 killing of Luz Hernandez, a New Jersey kindergarten teacher and mother of three, has been extradited from Colombia and is now in custody in the U.S., officials said Wednesday.

Continue Reading

Man found shot to death on R Street

59-year-old victim killed in late-night shooting WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 59-year-old man was found fatally shot on a…

NJ strips doctor of medical license after federal opioid conviction

Pain management physician permanently barred from practicing TRENTON, N.J. — A Gloucester County pain management physician convicted in…

Police investigate fatal shooting of 17-year-old in Northwest DC

17-year-old victim identified as police offer $25K reward WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 17-year-old who was critically wounded in…

Miranda Lopez, 28, was arrested by Colombian authorities in June 2023 under a U.S. provisional arrest request. He arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on September 11, 2024, where he was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. He is being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility and faces several charges, including murder, hindering prosecution, tampering with evidence, and desecrating human remains, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez.

Lopez and co-defendant Cesar Santana, 38, both of Jersey City, were indicted by a grand jury in May 2023. Santana was arrested shortly after Hernandez’s body was discovered in a shallow grave in Kearny on February 7, 2023. Hernandez, 33, was reported missing a day earlier, and her body was later found near Central Avenue and Third Street. The medical examiner determined she died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck compressions, with the death ruled a homicide.

Authorities have described the case as an act of domestic violence, but have not provided further details regarding the relationship between Hernandez and the suspects. Both Lopez and Santana are awaiting trial.

The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not yet announced a date for Lopez’s initial court appearance.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.