Police in Monmouth County say that they have solved the 2009 murder of a teacher.

According to investigators, Jonelle Melton was killed in a case of mistaken identity. Melton's body was found in September 2009 insider her Neptune City apartment. The 33-year-old taught at a middle school in Red Bank.

Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni announced that James Fair, Ebenezer Byrd and Gregory Jean-Baptiste have been charged with murder, robbery and other offenses. 

Gramiccioni says the three had planned on robbing a different apartment in the same complex.

Two of the suspects, Fair and Jean-Baptiste, appeared in court Thursday. Both pleaded not guilty. Byrd is expected to appear before a judge Friday.

Melton's family members say that waiting for the case to be solved the past six years has been difficult.

"She was my little sister, my butterfly," says Rachel Haslon, Melton's sister. "She was loved, just genuine love."

These arrests come as relief to Melton's husband, who discovered her body and was questioned in the murder.

"This has been a nightmare," says Michael Melton. "I didn't think this day would come."

Fair was arrested last year on attempted murder, racketeering and conspiracy charges following the Asbury Park street gang crackdown dubbed "Operation Dead End."