Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose announced today that the body of Julia Vega, a young Newark mother who went missing on May 9, has been discovered.
Authorities say, today her death was ruled a homicide by the Regional Medical Examiners’ Office.
Police charged Vega's ex-boyfriend, Gualberto L. Lebron, 33, of Newark with her murder then charged his brother, Gilberto Lebron Jr., 34, also of Newark with conspiracy.
According to police on May 9, Vega, 30, who was employed at a daycare center in Newark, went home at lunchtime to walk the family dog and was never seen again. For the last three weeks, authorities investigated her disappearance.
Police say on Friday, a decomposing body was discovered behind an abandoned house in Irvington.
Today, it was identified through dental records as Vega’s body, according to Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who is handling the case.
"The ex-boyfriend, Gualberto Lebron, has been charged with conspiracy, murder, robbery, burglary, stalking, witness tampering, hindering prosecution, desecrating human remains, eluding police, aggravated assault, possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and related narcotics offenses," authorities said.
The brother, Gilberto Lebron, has been charged with conspiracy to hindering prosecution, conspiracy to desecrate human remains, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a firearm on school property.
A detention hearing is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m. for Gualberto Lebron before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, the Presiding Criminal Court Judge.
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.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.