A man is facing murder charges in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found earlier this week in a wooded area near the Bayonne-Jersey City border.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday that 35-year-old Gregory Mallard, of Jersey City, was charged in the death of 32-year-old Norelis Mendoza. In addition to the murder charge, he’s also accused of tampering with evidence, unlawful possession of a weapon and failing to dispose of human remains in a manner prescribed by law.

Mallard is currently being held in Somerset County Jail. He may soon be transferred to state prison.

Mendoza’s body found Wednesday off Route 440 in Bayonne. She was last seen on May 13 after having dropped off her 1-year-old daughter at her parents’ apartment on Montgomery Street in Jersey City. Family members had been searching for Mendoza, constantly posting on social media asking the community to help find her.

Geovanni Molina, the victim’s cousin, said there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship Mendoza had with Mallard – the father of her children.

“Those children not only lost their mother, but potentially lost their father as well,” he said. “We need justice to be served in this case. Not only for Norelis, but for everybody else out there that’s been a victim of domestic violence."

Mallard served 10 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter. In January of this year, he was also arrested after allegedly beating Mendoza.

“Charges were pressed and there was a restraining order, but we think the restraining order was dropped,” said Molina.

Authorities have not yet revealed additional details about the killing but did say the incident is being investigated as an act of domestic violence.

Family members say the community is invited to attend a candlelight vigil along Montgomery Street in Jersey City on Saturday night.

“We are going to shut this block down. We are expecting a lot of people out here,” said Molina.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor as they are leading this investigation.