Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino and Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Irvington Police Department are investigating the murder Gretchen C. Ford, 53, of East Orange.
According to authorities, at 5:19 pm yesterday Irvington Police responded to a report of an unresponsive woman in an abandon building in the 1000 block of Grove Street in Irvington.
Police say the victim, who appeared to be suffering from blunt force trauma, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:45 p.m.
The official cause of death is pending autopsy.
The investigation is active and ongoing and suspects have been identified at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.