By: Richard L. Smith
According to a statement released by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, a Landing man has been arrested and charged in connection with a deadly stabbing that occurred early Thursday morning in New Milford.
Officials said at approximately 2:58 a.m. on September 25, 2025, New Milford Police responded to a 9-1-1 call from 650 River Road placed by 25-year-old Justin J. Wilhelm.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found Wilhelm on the front steps of the residence with what appeared to be blood on his hands.
Inside the home, police conducted a welfare check and discovered a man later identified as 24-year-old Mateo Ocho-Gonzalez, of New Milford, deceased on the second floor.
Authorities said Ocho-Gonzalez suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, working jointly with the New Milford Police Department, launched an investigation that determined Wilhelm had narcotics in his possession and stabbed the victim multiple times while inside the residence.
Wilhelm has been charged with:
• First-degree murder (N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1))
• Third-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d)
• Third-degree possession of narcotics (N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1))
• Fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon (N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d)
Authorities said Wilhelm was transported to a nearby hospital for a medical evaluation and remains in police custody.