53-Year-Old Convicted Of Strangling His Wife To Death And Dumping Her Body Alongside A Road In Monmouth County
Sunday, April 28, 2024, 8:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
FREEHOLD, NJ.- Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago reported, that a 53-year-old Ocean County, New Jersey has been convicted by a Monmouth County jury for fatally strangling his 51-year-old wife following an argument, and dumping her body on the side of a road in Ocean Township, New Jersey, back in October 2022.
Following a trial that began last week in Monmouth County Superior Court the jury returned a guilty verdict before the Honorable Jill G. O'Malley, J.S.C. against Jeremy B. Cruz, 53, of Forked River, New Jersey, on a charge of murder.
The conviction stems from an investigation, when on Sunday, October 30, 2022, shortly after 1:00 a.m., a woman who appeared to have sustained serious injuries was observed by a concerned motorist on Colonial Avenue near the intersection of Asbury Avenue. Members of the Ocean Township Police Department responded and discovered a woman, identified as Dawn C. Cruz, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to documents filed in the case.
At approximately the same time as Police Officers discovered Ms. Cruz, Mr. Cruz turned himself into authorities at Berkeley Township Police Headquarters in Ocean County, New Jersey.
A joint investigation by Monmouth County Authorities and Ocean County Authorities led to charges being filed against Mr. Cruz. In January 2023, a Monmouth County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Cruz. At trial, which began last week, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office disproved Cruz's intoxication defense that led to the conviction.
Sentencing in the matter has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at which time Cruz will face a potential term of life in New Jersey State Prison.
"This conviction happened to coincide with National Crime Victims' Rights Week, and it's difficult to conceive of a crime more senseless, or a victim more deserving of justice, than a person killed by their spouse over nothing more than a simple argument," Prosecutor Santiago said. "We sincerely thank the jury for their service in this matter and hope that the verdict delivers some small measure of solace to Dawn's friends, family, and loved ones."
FILED UNDER: APRIL 28, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MONMOUTH: