Police: Man tortured, killed woman before dismembering her

<p>The man accused of dismembering and burning the body of a New Jersey woman is now charged with killing her.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 23, 2018, 11:45 PM

Updated 2,195 days ago

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(AP) - The man accused of dismembering and burning the body of a New Jersey woman is now charged with killing her.
Prosecutors allege that 52-year-old Dennis Parrish tortured and killed 32-year-old Tonya Cook before dismembering her body and leaving her burned remains in a Cumberland County field, where they were found July 2. The additional charges of first-degree murder and obstruction were announced Monday.
Investigators identified Parrish as a suspect after finding a moving company box among Cook's remains and tracing a number on that box back to him. Police say they found Cook's blood inside Parrish's home.
Prosecutors didn't provide details such as how Parrish encountered Cook or how exactly how she died.
Public Defender JoEllyn Jones said her client was ordered held pending trial but declined further comment.
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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