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UPDATE Man Arrested for Beating 55-Year-Old Newark Woman to Death

Newark

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that Raymond Cruz, 44, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Nellie Marquez, 55, also of Newark.

Cruz was taken into custody today -Thursday- without incident by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.

He has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose police said.

According to authorities, Cruz was a neighbor of the victim, who was found dead in her apartment on Saturday, July 14. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:32 p.m.

The cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Authorities say, Marquez, who lived alone, was well known because she served as a member of the tenant’s association board.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino lauded the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, the Newark Police Department and the Newark Housing Authority-Security Division for their work on this case.

These are accusations.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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