By: Tracie Carter
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announced that a city man has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred last year.
Authorities identified the suspect as Ernest Lawrence, 35, of Passaic.
He is charged with first-degree murder, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
According to officials, the investigation stems from an incident on March 16, 2025, when officers responded around 9:40 a.m. to a residence near 4th Street and Bergen Street on reports of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, police found a woman, later identified as 31-year-old Daniela Ghafour of Passaic, suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Ghafour was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
A subsequent investigation conducted by the Passaic Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office identified Lawrence as the individual responsible for the fatal attack.
Officials said Lawrence was later located in North Carolina and extradited back to New Jersey on March 26, 2026.
He is currently being held pending his first court appearance at Central Judicial Processing.
Prosecutors have indicated they will seek pre-trial detention. A Superior Court judge will determine his custody status at a future hearing.
The investigation remains active.