By: Kafi Rosenbaum
According to officials, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and West Windsor Police Chief Robert Garofalo, an investigation conducted by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the West Windsor Police have resulted in the arrest of a Hamilton Township man for the death of Elaine Murray.
Denzel Whitmore, 24, of Hamilton, NJ, is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of first-degree felony murder, one count of second-degree burglary, and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence.
Officials say he was taken into custody without incident Thursday afternoon in Hamilton Township.
The prosecutor’s office will file a motion to detain Whitmore pending trial.
On Wednesday evening, August 2, just after 8 p.m., West Windsor police responded to a residence on Galston Drive after neighbors went to conduct a well-being check on a female neighbor who lives alone and noticed evidence of a break-in.
West Windsor Police officers say they were able to make entry into the residence and located Elaine Murray, 71, lying on the floor of a second-floor bedroom, deceased.
She appeared to have visible signs of injuries to her face and she was bleeding from the back of her head.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCHTF Detective Jacob Schor at (609) 989-6406 or Sgt. Roberto Reyes at (609) 256-0997.
Information can also be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org. Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.