Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Chief of Police Richard Grammar announced that the deceased male found in a wooded area off of Phillips Road in Franklin Township was determined to be a victim of a homicide.
According to authorities, the victim, who has been identified as Darren Fordham, 26, of Somerset, suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on July 1st, at approximately 8:23 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received that a male body was located in the wooded area off of Phillips Road in Franklin Township. Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Unit, the Franklin Township Police Department, and Medical Investigator’s from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to conduct the investigation. To maintain the integrity of the investigation detectives will not be releasing the location of the gunshot wounds on the victim. Based on preliminary facts, the incident does not appear to be a random act of violence.
Officials say detectives are attempting to determine motive.
Authorities are seeking the public’s assistance with information pertaining to this homicide. Specifically, detectives are focusing on the time frame of 1 a.m. on June 30th, within the area of Phillips Road, adjacent to the property line of the Pine Grove School in Franklin Township.
Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity or vehicles in that area should contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533. All calls will be kept confidential.