Prosecutor: Body of slain girl was found outside suspect’s window

<p>The body of an 11-year-old Keansburg girl was found unclothed and bound outside the window of the teen accused of killing her, according to prosecutors.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 26, 2017, 3:49 PM

Updated 2,611 days ago

Share:

The body of an 11-year-old Keansburg girl was found unclothed and bound outside the window of the teen accused of killing her, according to prosecutors.
Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Diane Aifer says that the body of Abbiegail Smith was wrapped in a futon blanket, which was bound with a cord. Smith’s body was found on the roof of a shed outside Andreas Erazo’s bedroom window.
Aifer says that investigators also recovered blood samples from the 18-year-old’s window sill, and also found a knife believed to be the murder weapon inside his bedroom.
Erazo is accused of stabbing Smith to death. Smith was first reported missing on the night of July 12. Her body was found the next morning.
Officials have not released a motive for the killing.
Prosecutors say that Erazo first lied to police detectives the night Smith went missing, by denying knowing anything about her disappearance.
Officials say that Erazo was already on probation for weapons offenses involving a knife committed while he was still 17.
Aifer argued at a detention hearing Wednesday that Erazo should remained locked up until his trial because of these circumstances.
"I would argue strenuously based on the defendant’s initial interaction with the police, when …the family were looking desperately for the victim, he invited police into this home and he boldly lied to them,” Aifer said.
Judge Richard English agreed and ordered that Erazo remain in custody until a possible trial.
Smith’s friends and family showed up to the hearing wearing T-shirts with her photo on them.
Erazo's next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 28.