One of the two men accused of dumping the body of a missing teen along a rural Salem County roadway has been indicted.
According to authorities, Jose Sosa-Ayala, 41, of Bridgeton is facing a single count of desecrating human remains after he allegedly dumped the body of 19-year-old Danyelle Minerva, along the Alloway-Woodstown Road last year.
The charges arose when the New Jersey State Police Major Crime Unit arrested Jose Sosa-Ayala, 40, and Jose Felix-Sosa, 45, both of Bridgeton, for disposing of the body of Minerva, 19, of Atco, in a rural, wooded area in Alloway Township.
On Monday, January 11, at 1:48 p.m., tree service workers discovered the body of Danyelle Minerva in a wooded area along Woodstown-Alloway Road. She had been reported missing by family members since last October.
Through various investigative means, State Police detectives, working with the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, were able to develop Jose Sosa-Ayala and Jose Felix-Sosa as suspects.
Investigators determined that in October, Sosa-Ayala brought the victim to his residence. During her stay, the victim passed away.
Sosa-Ayala allegedly carried the victim out of the house, placed her body in his 2005 Toyota Tundra, and left her in a wooded area where it was later discovered.
Jose Sosa-Ayala and Jose Felix-Sosa were charged with conspiracy, desecration of human remains, and endangering the welfare of a victim.
Both were lodged at the Salem County Jail. Bail for Sosa-Ayala was set at $600,000 no 10% and $500,000 no 10% for Felix-Sosa.
The cause and manor of death remains a mystery since there was no obvious signs of physical trauma to the body.
However, Wednesday the Salem County grand jury that handed up the indictment against Sosa-Ayala but did not find enough evidence to indict Sosa-Ayala's alleged co-conspirator in the case, Jose Felix-Sosa.
According to the Prosecutor's office, the case will now go to status conference and possible plea negotiations. If no deal is reached, Sosa-Ayala would go to trial in Superior Court in Salem.