A 40-year-old Hainesport man has been charged in connection with the fatal stabbing of his aunt inside her Lumberton apartment, according to Burlington County officials.
Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw and Lumberton Township Police Chief Anthony D. Nippins announced that Jason Mutschler has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Authorities say the investigation began Friday afternoon after 60-year-old Vanessa Sturtevent was found dead by a relative inside her residence at the Sterling Glen Apartments on Eayrestown Road in Lumberton.
An autopsy conducted by the Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Sturtevent’s death was a homicide. Officials said she suffered stab wounds to her head and neck, along with blunt force trauma to her face and head.
Investigators later identified Mutschler as a suspect. He was located in Hainesport by the New Jersey State Police and later charged following questioning at the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.